X-J 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


CONTRIBUTIONS 


TO 

9 


SOLAR  AND   TERRESTRIAL    PHYSICS. 


"In  knowledge,  that  man  only  is  to  be  contemned  and  despised 
who  is  not  in  a  state  of  transition." 

" —  nor  is  there  anything  more  adverse  to  accuracy  than  fixity  of 
opinion.  " — FARADAY. 

"  Science  must  grow.  Its  development  is  as  necessary,  and  as 
irresistible  as  the  motion  of  the  tides,  or  the  flowing  of  the  Gulf 
Stream. " — TYNDALL.  ^ ' 

"  The  cry  of  science  is  still  onward,  and  its  goal  of  yesterday  will 
ever  be  its  starting-point  to-morrow." — DAWSON. 


%*  May  be  procured  through  all  booksellers.  It  will  be  sent 
by  mail,  postage  free,  on  receipt  of  price,  $140  cloth,  5b  cts.  paper. 
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Per  C.  K.  ABEL  &  SON,  BOOKSELLERS, 

Dunkirk,  N.  Y. 


NEW    AND     ORIGINAL 

THEORIES 


GREAT  PHYSICAL  FORCES. 


BY 


HENRY   RAYMOND    ROGERS,    M.D. 


"  Every  time 
Serves  for  the  matter  then  born  in  it. " 

SHAKSPERB. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR. 
MDCCCLXXVIII. 


COPYRIGHT,  1878. 
BY  HENRY  RAYMOND  ROGERS. 


TROW'S 

PRINTING  AND  BOOKBINDING  Co., 
205-213  East  i2ift  St.t 

NEW  YORK. 


Gl/73 


PREFACE. 


"  Show  me  a  man  who  makes  no  mistakes,  and  I  will  show  you  a 
man  who  has  done  nothing." — LlEBIG. 

IN  this  little  volume  the  author  gives  but  his 
own  personal  opinions  upon  the  subjects  discussed, 
and  although  the  sentiments  are  expressed  with 
an  assurance  born  of  conviction,  yet  he  claims  not 
infallibility. 

He  has  ever  been  unable  to  accept  the  usual 
explanations  of  the  great  physical  forces  ;  and  the 
inadequacies  of  mooted  theories  have  impelled 
him  to  efforts  for  more  philosophical  interpreta- 
tions. If  in  his  investigations  he  has  been  forced 
to  strange  and  unusual  conclusions,  he  has  been 
actuated  only  by  an  honest  desire  to  promote  the 
advancement  of  science. 

He  is  not  insensible  to  the  responsibility  of  the 
position  which  he  thus  voluntarily  assumes,  in 
asserting  his  opinions  upon  problems  so  vast  and 
momentous. 

It   is  no  enviable  position   to  occupy,   that  of 


viii  Preface. 

antagonism  to  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  scien- 
tific world  and,  too,  upon  subjects  of  strictly 
scientific  import.  That  he  does  thus  find  himself 
placed  in  such  relations  at  the  present  time,  has  not 
been  a  matter  of  his  own  seeking.  No  other  con- 
sideration than  the  profoundest  sense  of  duty  and 
responsibility  could  have  influenced  him  in  the 
course  pursued.  Perhaps  some  apology  is  yet 
due  for  so  boldly  trespassing  upon  hypotheses 
which  were  very  generally  thought  to  be  well 
established,  and  certainly  secure  from  such  treat- 
ment. 

The  attempt,  in  a  measure,  to  develop  so  ex- 
tended a  field  of  research,  in  so  few  pages,  has  led 
to  much  crudeness  in  the  presentation.  For  this 
a  reasonable  indulgence  may  be  claimed. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

THE  SUN 17 


CHAPTER   II. 

WHAT  is  PROPOSED , 20 

The  great  problem. 

CHAPTER   III. 
INTIMATE  NATURE  OF  THE  FORCES 24 

Sunlight  and  sun-heat — The  great  law  of  conserva- 
tion— How  the  spheres  are  constructed — The  great 
earth- core  and  its  functions — The  grand  magnetic 
circuit. 

CHAPTER    IV. 
SUNLIGHT,  ITS  SOURCE  AND  NATURE 29 

Its  limits — The  solar  cone— The  sun  not  incandescent 
— New  hypothesis — No  borrowed  light — The  sun 
dependent — Light  as  a  substance — Velocity  of 
Light. 

I* 


Contents. 


CHAPTER    V. 

PAGE 

SUN-HEAT,  ITS  SOURCE  AND  LIMITS 35 

Tendencies  to  unsettle  in  science — Present  theories 
— True  source — Earth's  part  in  the  process — Sun's 
part — New  philosophy — Old  phenomena  and  new 
interpretations  —  Aurorae  —  Well  understood  pro- 
cesses in  confirmation — The  ordinary  battery — The 
Great  -Sun  Battery — Heat  without  combustion — 
Intercurrents — Solution  of  the  problem. 


CHAPTER   VI. 
THE  SEASONS 47 

Why  their  varying  temperature? — A  new  philosophy. 


CHAPTER   VII. 
GRAVITY 50 

Its  essential  nature  and  its  source. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE  ATMOSPHERE 52 

A  veritable  ocean — How  constituted — The  vito-mag- 
netic  principle,  its  extent  and  character— Its  func- 
tions— The  air  not  yet  comprehended — Have  we 
been  mistaken  ? — New  light — Electrical  induction — 
Its  mode  of  action  and  illustrations — The  character 
and  virtue  of  the  vito-magnetic  element. 


Contents.  xi 


CHAPTER    IX. 

PAGE 

WINDS 59 

Entertained  theories  erroneous — Their  true  character 
— What  gives  rise  to  the  currents — Purely  vito- 
magnetic  phenomena — Philosophical  considerations 
drawn  from  observation  —  Whirlwinds,  water- 
spouts, and  tornadoes — The  Barbadoes — Manu- 
factured wind — Wind  within  a  wind — Winds  may 
not  arise  from  presumed  causes — A  great  cosmical 
system. 

CHAPTER   X, 
SUN-SPOTS 70 

Old  theories — Degrees  of  spot-shadow  overestimated 
--What  spots  are  not,  and  what  they  are — They 
are  caused  by  magnetic  perturbations — Inconsist- 
ency of  accepted  theories — Figures  that  are  decep- 
tive— Effects  of  these  wonderful  phenomena — Mis- 
taken conceptions— May  not  be  tabulated— Unbi- 
assed estimate  of  their  character  and  location. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

SOUNDS,   AND   THEIR  TRANSMISSION 77 

Essential  character  and  mode  of  progression — Waves 
have  no  act  or  part  in  their  conveyance. 

CHAPTER   XII. 
SOME  OF  THE  RESULTS  OF  THE  FOREGOING  THEORIES.    79 

Extent  and  character  of  their  influence — Old  chan- 
nels obliterated,  and  new  ones  developed — Senti- 


xii  Contents. 


merits  changed  —  Nebular  hypothesis  —  The  sun 
cool,  luminous,  and  habitable — Celestial  spectro- 
scopy — Undulatory  theories  ignored — Light  instan- 
taneously transmitted — Telephone — No  light  nor 
heat  wasted  —  Extent  of  the  atmosphere  of  the 
spheres — The  sun's  power  overestimated. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

INFLUENCE  OF  THE  FORCES  AS  CAUSATION  OF  DIS- 
EASE      84 

Meteorological  influence — Higher  appreciation  of  the 
source  of  disease,  and  increased  efficiency  in  its 
treatment. 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE    ARTIFICIAL    PRODUCTION    OF    LIGHT,    HEAT, 
AND  POWER,  AND  THEIR  UTILIZATION 87 


CHAPTER  XV. 

WHY  WAS  NOT  THIS  DISCOVERY  SOONER  MADE  ? 90 

Its  consummation  nearly  perfected  by  many  others — 
Its  successful  accomplishment  plainly  foretold  by 
Faraday. 

APPENDIX 95 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

I. — THE  SOLAR  CONE,  OR  CONE-SPACE 30 

II. — THE  SEASONS.    SUMMER , 48 

III.—   "  "  WINTER 49 

IV. — MANUFACTURED  WIND.     (From  DESCHANEL'S 

Natural  Philosophy) 66 


"If  we  suppose  the  sun  and  fixed  stars  to  be  gigantic  fountains 
of  magnetic  influence,  acting  upon  our  globe  and  its  atmosphere, 
and  likewise  upon  all  the  other  planets,  the  phenomena  of  the  uni- 
verse would  then  become  susceptible  of  the  grandest  and  simplest 
interpretations." — CROSSLAND. 

"  Are  not  the  sun  and  fixed  stars  great  earths  vehemently  hot  ?  " 
— NEWTON. 

"  Herschel's  fixed  idea  was  that  the  darkness  of  a  spot  upon  the 
sun  was  an  indication  of  a  cool  and  habitable  globe." — HUMBOLDT. 

"The  sun  as  the  main  source  of  light  and  heat  must  be  able  to 
call  forth  and  animat^e  magnetic  forces  on  our  planet." — Ibid. 


THE 

GREAT  PHYSICAL  FORCES. 


CHAPTER  L 
INTRODUCTORY, 

The  Sun. 

THE  sun's  position  in  the  great  field  of 
energy  is  daily  becoming  more  exalted  in  the 
estimation  of  philosophic  minds.  His  labors 
are  being  revealed  to  us  with  a  distinctness 
never  before  conceived.  He  it  is  that  stored 
the  coal  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  and  piled 
up  the  polar  ice.  He  it  is  that  aids  the  chem- 
ist, drives  the  engine,  ripens  the  harvest,,  dis- 
penses life  and  health. 

The  study  of  the  sun  and  solar  physics, 
therefore,  must  be  essential  to  the  right  un- 
derstanding of  whatever  we  observe  to  take 
place  at  the  earth.  Sun  and  earth  are  united 
in  indissoluble  bonds.  In  philosophic  minds 


1 8     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces, 

the  conviction  of  a  most  perfect  inter-depend- 
ence is  rapidly  gaining  ground. 

All  this  has  been  known  and  appreciated 
to  a  degree,  yet  this  great  source  of  universal 
operations  is  shrouded  in  mystery.  Still,  our 
curiosity  has  been  kindled,  and  men  are 
eagerly  looking  for  further  developments. 

Natural  Science,  in  all  her  branches,  is  fully 
awake,  and  is  on  her  watch-tower  of  observa- 
tion. Ignorance  of  the  sun,  of  its  character, 
and  of  the  methods  by  which  its  functions  are 
performed,  must  be  confessed  ;  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  more  recent  unfoldings  and  imag- 
inings of  scientists,  regarding  the  great  orb. 
But  yet  we  are  very  hopeful  of  vast  increase 
in  our  solar  knowledge  ;  not  alone,  or  chiefly. 
by  new  observations,  or  discoveries,  but  quite 
as  much  by  new  interpretations  of  old,  long 
observed  phenomena.  The  ground  of  hope- 
fulness lies  in  the  belief  that  a  grand  unity 
underlies,  and  binds  together  in  one,  all  Phys- 
ical Forces,  as  well  in  earth  and  sun. 

While  regarding  the  sun  as  all,  and  more 
than  all  that  has  ever  been  claimed  for  it,  still 
we  are  impressed  most  strongly  that  the  sun 
has  social  relations  with  his  planets,  which 
have  never  been  duly  considered  by  the 
masters  in  science.  The  sun  acts,  but  it  must 


Mutual  Relationship  of  Sun  and  Earth.    19 

also  be  that  the  earth  and  planets  react.  The 
sun  gives  and  dispenses  favors,  but  science 
has  too  much  overlooked  the  great  fact  that 
the  sun  receives  and  sympathizes. 

Let  our  philosophy  but  accept  the  idea  that 
the  sun  rouses  the  earth  into  action  throiigh 
their  mutual  relationships  ;  that  the  two  in- 
terchange good  offices  and  essential  services, 
rather  than  that  the  sun  is  wholly  independ- 
ent, and  simply  gives  outright,  as  philosophy 
has  hitherto  conceived,  and  we  think  that  the 
dawn  of  a  better  day  has  come. 

The  new  philosophy,  in  our  opinion,  will 
teach  that  the  sun  gives  in  such  a  way  that 
he  will  not  be  impoverished ;  that  though 
bountiful,  he  is  not  wasteful ;  that  though  he 
freely  gives,  yet  that  he  also  as  freely  receives 
in  return. 

The  new  philosophy  will  be  true  to  corre- 
lation, and  it  will  be  true  to  conservation 
as  well. 


CHAPTER  II. 

WHAT    IS    PROPOSED. 

IN  the  following  pages  I  shall  endeavor  to 
set  forth,  in  a  simple  and  orderly  manner,  cer- 
tain of  my  own  theories  of  the  Great  Physi- 
cal Forces. 

In  these  theories  will  be  comprised  the 
identity  of  those  forces,  the  intimate  and  es- 
sential nature  of  sunlight,  sun-heat,  gravity, 
sun-spots,  winds  and  sounds,  also  the  inti- 
mate nature  of  the  atmosphere. 

In  treating  these  subjects  my  opinions  will 
not  be  found  in  accord  with  those  which  re- 
ceive universal  assent  at  the  present  time, 
and  I  may  thus  unintentionally  offend.  I 
shall  therefore  claim  exceeding  indulgence. 

If  I  differ  from  high  authority,  I  have  not 
a  thought  of  detraction.  None  can  venerate 
the  NESTORS  in  science  who  have  enriched  its 
annals,  more  than  I,  and  though  we  reverse 
their  judgments,  their  errors  are  confessedly 
our  indispensable  helps  and  guides. 


Advances  in  Physical  Science.          21 

The  Great  Problem. 

The  problem  of  the  great  physical  forces 
has  engaged  the  profoundest  attention  of 
mankind  from  the  earliest  historic  period 
down  to  the  present  time,  yet  it  remains 
practically  unsolved. 

Before  the  Christian  era  the  opinion  was 
entertained  that  all  of  the  phenomena  of 
nature  might  be  reduced  to  one  principle  of 
explanation  ;  that  there  was  more  than  a  con- 
nection between  the  imponderable  agents — 
more  than  a  relationship  even, — that  there 
was  an  actual  identity. 

No  substantial  progress  was  thereafter 
made  in  the  direction  of  verifying  this  theory 
until  along  into  the  present  century,  when  the 
development  of  electrical  science  presented  a 
tangible  basis  for  successful  investigation. 

The  correlation  of  nearly  all  of  those  for- 
ces is  now  assured,  leaving  little  to  be  added 
besides  gravity  to  complete  the  unity.  Yet 
notwithstanding  the  satisfactory  progress 
which  has  been  made  in  solving  the  grand 
problem  of  their  correlation,  little  has  been 
learned  of  their  intimate  nature,  and  the 
method  of  their  operation.  This  is  due,  in 
the  highest  degree,  to  certain  theories  which 


22     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

were  developed,  and  which  made  their  way, 
pari  passu,  with  the  advancements  of  elec- 
trical and  electro-magnetic  science.  These 
theories,  specious,  inconsistent,  illogical,  yet 
withal  plausible,  and  even  fascinating,  served 
to  blind  the  mental  vision  so  that  mankind 
might  not  appreciate  the  truth.1 

The  hypothesis  promulgated  by  BRUNO, 
KANT  and  LAPLACE,  of  the  nebular  origin  of 
the  spheres,  and  the  deductions  consequent 
thereupon,  in  regard  to  the  progressive 
stages  through  which  the  earth  in  its  devel- 
opments has  passed,  was  pernicious  in  its  in- 
fluence in  diverting  the  minds  of  investigators 
from  other  and  truer  channels.  To  the  blind 
confidence  with  which  that  hypothesis  has 
been  universally  accepted  and  perpetuated, 
and  to  the  fallacious  theories  thus  directly  and 
indirectly  engendered,  we  owe  our  false  posi- 
tion at  the  present  day. 

The  present  theories  of  the  transmission 
of  light  and  sound ;  of  the  production  of 
winds,  and  sun-spots,  and  of  the  method  of 
development  and  dissemination  of  heat,  are 
in  point  of  fact,  unphilosophical  and  incom- 
prehensible. 

1  Appendix,  p.  97. 


Present  Data  Sufficient.  23 

It  is  quite  remarkable  that  in  the  present 
century,  excelling  as  it  does  any  period  in  the 
world's  history  in  exact  and  reliable  scien- 
tific knowledge,  such  unsatisfactory  opinions 
should  obtain.  The  failure  is  still  more  in- 
explicable when  we  reflect  that  these  sub- 
jects are  in  importance  the  highest  which  can 
engage  our  attention  as  scientists. 

We  have  at  the  present  time  sufficient 
reliable  data  whereon  to  found  satisfactory 
hypotheses.  We  have  but  to  utilize  the 
means  which  the  true  scientists  of  the  cen- 
tury have  so  wonderfully  developed,  and 
with  which  they  have  so  prodigally  sur- 
rounded us,  in  order  to  complete  the  consum- 
mation of  the  great  and  crowning  achieve- 
ment in  physical  science. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE     GREAT     FORCES,     THEIR    CHARACTER    AND 
OPERATIONS. 

I  NOW  ask,  What  is  the  intimate  and  in- 
herent nature  of  those  forces  ?  Do  they,  or 
either  of  them,  belong  to  the  domain  of  the 
supernatural  ?  Are  they  the  products  of 
some  supreme  force,  or  forces,  heretofore 
unappreciated  ?  The  reply  is  clear  and  un- 
questionable. The  supernatural  must  neces- 
sarily be  a  part  of  the  Divine  Essence,  and 
consequently  intangible.  Not  so  the  sub- 
jects of  our  inquiry.  They  are  natural  pro- 
ducts, therefore,  and  the  result  of  the  opera- 
tion of  some  power  commensurate  with  the 
stttpendousness  of  their  manifestations. 

Sunlight  and  Sun-heat. 

In  the  forces,  light,  and  heat,  what  immen- 
sity of  power  is  represented  !  Strangely 
enough  we  have  ever  imagined  these  forces 
to  be  the  unaided  work  of  the  sun,  as  though 
that  luminary  could  be  capable  of  sending 


The  Law  of  Conservation.  25 

forth  in  undiminished  exuberance,  such  mar- 
vels of  force,  during  all  the  ages,  and  remain 
itself  unexhausted  ! 


The  Great  Law  of  Conservation  of  Force. 

But  how  speaks  the  law  of  conservation, 
that  law  most  enduring,  and  most  inexora- 
ble ?  According  to  the  decrees  of  that  law, 
whatever  is  received  by  the  earth  from  the 
sun,  an  equivalent  for  the  same  must  again  be 
returned  from  the  earth  to  the  sun,  to  the 
uttermost  fraction.2  Such  being  the  condi- 
tions, how  may  this  retro-acting  process  that 
all  analogy  and  the  profoundest  scientific 
axiom  prove  to  be  in  constant  operation- 
how,  I  ask,  may  this  retro-acting  process  be 
explained  ?  What  equivalent  may  the  earth 
give  back  as  compensation  for  such  enormous 
benefits,  for  such  stupendous  powers  ?  The 
laws  of  conservation  may  not  be  violated : 
the  earth  will  respond. 

How  are  the  Spheres  constructed? 

The  constitution  of  these  two  retro-acting 
spheres,  and  consequently  of  all  the  others  of 

2  Appendix,  p.  98. 


26     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

the  heavenly  host,3  at  this  point  demands 
our  attention.  How  are  the  spheres  made 
up  ?  How  speaks  the  earth  ?  The  earth 
with  which  we  are  familiar — our  sample — is 
formed  of  a  slight  crust,  a  core,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent  and  degree  incandescent,  and 
measuring  250,000  millions  of  cubic  miles  in 
dimensions,  also  an  envelope  which  we  call 
the  atmosphere. 

Now,  from  the  presence  of  the  vast  mass  of 
incandescent  material  within  the  enclosure  of 
each  sphere-crust,  it  may  reasonably  be  in- 
ferred, nay  the  very  nature  of  human  reason 
compels  the  decision,  that  they  are  placed 
there  for  some  specific  purpose,  and  that  their 
operations  are  commensurate  with  their  im- 
mensity. 

We  may  not  neglect  to  make  account  of 
so  vast  an  element,  and  so  vital  and  prepon- 
derating, in  all  globes.* 

We  are  thus  compelled  to  answer  the 
question,  What  part  in  the  economy  of  na- 
ture is  this  great  central  core  particularly 
fitted  to  perform  ?  What  its  function  among 
the  great  forces  ? 


3  Appendix,  p.  99. 

*  The  earth's  core  constitutes  nearly  -&%  of  its  entire  mass. 


The  Function  of  the  Earth- Core.        27 

The  great  problem  of  the  age,  which  scien- 
tists are  intently  engaged  in  solving,  is  the 
correlation  of  the  leading  forces  already  ad- 
verted to.  Thus  far  light,  heat,  electricity, 
magnetism,  chemical  action,  vital  action,  co- 
hesion, etc.,  have  been  proved  to  be  parts 
of  one  great  whole.  Now,  since  the  espe- 
cial characteristic  of  the  great  earth-core  is 
heat,  it  comes  directly  into  relationship  with 
the  forces  mentioned.  How  then  are  its 
forces  expended  ?  Through  what  channels 
do  they  manifest  their  presence  ?  The  philo- 
sophical mind  would  most  naturally  associate 
with  it  the  idea  of  stupendous  magnetic 
power.  We  may  well  suppose  such  a  power 
extending  its  influence  through  and  beyond 
the  earth-crust,  reaching  out  towards  the 
moon,  and  retro-acting  with  that  body  in  pre- 
serving their  mutual  relations. 

Does  not  this  mighty  influence  reach  out 
toward  the  sun  also,  and  act  conjointly  with 
that  great  central  orb  in  producing  results, 
which  to  us,  have  ever  been  great  myster- 


ies.4 


The  Grand  Magnetic  Circuit. 
In  the  retro-acting  influence  in  operation 

4  Appendix,  p.  99. 


28     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

between  these  great  bodies,  may  be  found  A 
Grand  Magnetic  Circuit.  In  this  grand 
magnetic  circuit  is  found  the  key  to  the  whole 
subject  of  the  correlation  and  identity  of  all 
the  forces. 

And  now,  as  preparatory  to  using  this  key 
that  we  may  enter  in  and  consider  the  inti- 
mate nature  of  the  physical  forces,  we  would 
be  impressed  with  the  clear  and  full  idea  of 
this  mighty  current,  which  bears  upon  its 
tide,  as  one,  all  manner  of  forces  with  which 
we  have  to  do. 

It  remains  for  us  to  tell  what  this  great 
current  is,  and  what  it  does.  To  the  child,  to 
the  savage,  and  to  the  civilized  man  alike,  it 
comes  first  and  pre-eminently  as  light. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

SUNLIGHT. 

Its  Source  and  Nature. 

SUNLIGHT  is  one  of  the  products  of  that 
grand  retro-action  which  is  incessantly  in 
operation  between  sun  and  earth,  and  is,  in 
its  intimate  and  essential  nature,  a  vito-mag- 
neticyfe^jf*  (or  so-called  magnetic).  Subtle, 
and  apparently  intangible,  manifesting  itself 
rather  as  a  presence  than  a  real  substance, 
it  fills  all  the  space  between  the  sun  and 
earth — which  space  may,  with  sufficient  accu- 
racy, be  termed  the  solar  cone  or  cone-space. 

Its  Limits. 

Beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  solar  cone, 
no  light  is. 


*  This  term  is  employed  as  being  most  exact  and  comprehensive, 
as  this  fluid  is  now  known  to  be  the  source  of  all  life  and  all  at- 
tractions. 


30     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

SOLAR  CONE. 


PI.  I. 

The  Sun  not  Incandescent. 

The  apparent  brightness  of  the  sun  is 
owing  to  ihr  -aggregation  of  the  93,000,000 
of  miles  of  this  flbi^which  is  present  be- 
tween the  sun  and  earm>e£-4e-  our  presence 
in  the  great  current  of  activity  of  the  vito- 
magnetic  force.  It  is  therefore  not  due  to  a 
condition  of  incandescence  at  or  near,  that 
body.  It  is  cool  and  habitable,  and  emits  no 
light.  The  brightness  of  the  intervening  fluid 
intercepts  the  view,  and  thus  no  one  may 
behold  its  body.  Dark  spots  upon  its  face 
disclose  its  true  character.5 


6  Appendix,  p.  99. 


To  oe  attached  to  page  31,  "J?ew 
and  Original  Theories  of  the  G-reat 
(Physical  forces.'' 


Light  and  Heat. 


BY  HENRY  RAYMOND  ROGERS,  M.  D. 


From  the  Buffalo  Courier. 

Scientists  have  practically  ignored  the 
existence  in  nature  of  two  distinct  forms 
of  light  and  heat.  This  two-fold  divi- 
sion is  clear  and  demonstrable,  yet  in- 
vestigators in  these  fields  have  made  too 
little  account  of  it  in  their  reckoning. 
The  failure  to  recognize  this  fact  has 
been  the  source  of  errors  and  confusion 
in  our  philosophy  of  these  forces.  The 
two  forms  while  possessing  certain  pro- 
perties in  common,  have  yet  other  pro- 
perties quite  dissimilar.  Different  in  the 
manner  of  their  production  and  in  their 
effects,  it  is  a  question  whether  they  are 
not  essentially  different  in  their  nature. 

The  first  form,  that  of  combustion 
light  and  heat,  is  .dependent  for  its  pro- 
duction upon  the  combustive  destruc- 
tion of  inflammable  materials  due  to  the 
action  of  oxygen.  Examples  of  this  form 
are  the  lights  and  fires  of  our  homes. 

The  second  form  we  term  magnetic — 
in  the  production  of  which  oxygen  has 
no  part.  Examples  of  this  form  are  the 
magneto-electric  and  the  dynamo-elec- 
tric processes — the  latter  of  which  is 
pre-eminently  the  topic  of  the  day.  The 
peculiarity  of  this  form  is  that  light  and 
heat  are  not  necessarily  manifested  at 
or  near  the  seat  of  production,  but  exist 
potentially,  their  development  as  light 
and  heat  being  effected  wherever  the 
proper  conditions  are  provided.  This 
magnetic  force,  while  permitted  to  flow 
freely  through  a  perfect  conductor  is 
never  developed  into  light  and  heat,  but 


is  only  converted  into  these  forces  as 
the  current  encounters  and  overcomes- 
resistance. 

The  operations  of  these  two  forms 
are  characteristically  different.  The  for- 
mer are  feeble  in  power  and  are  trans 
m-issible  to  but  short  distances.  They 
act  by  continuity,  and  speedily  diminish 
in  intensity  as-  the  square  of  the  distance 
increases.  The  latter  are  transmissible 
in  any  direction,  and  by  any  pathway, 
and  have  scarcely  any  terestrial  limits, 
They  are  transported  by  wires  over  con- 
tinents and  beneath  oceans,  and  many 
miles  of  space  have  been  traversed  by 
them  without  visible  means  of  conduc- 
tion. But,  unlike  the  former,  they  do 
not  pass  as  sensible  light  and  heat. 

Their  functions  differ.  The  magnetic 
form  of  light  may  be  employed  in  photo- 
graphy, and  by  it  the  various  shades  of 
color  may  be  discerned  in  the  night  sea- 
son. In  strength  and  brilliancy  the 
magnetic  light  alone  resembles  that  of 
the  sun. 

In  our  studies  of  these  forces  we  have 
been  greatly  impressed  with  :he  similar 
ity  between  the  operations  of  the  mag- 
netic class  and  the  productions  of  the 
sun.  This  similarity  naturally  suggests 
the  question  whether  there  is  not  good 
reason  to  suppose  that  sunlight  and  sun 
heat,  as  to  their  production,  follow  the 
analogy  of  the  superior  process,  rather 
than  the  inferior, — that  its  action  is 
magnetic,  rather  than  combustive. 

Thip  suggestion  affords  immense  re- 
lief. .  If  light  and  heat  are  regarded  as 
magnetic,  we  are  apparently  eased  of 
the^ great  burden  of  finding  adequate 
supplies  of  material  to  keep  up,  and  to 
keep  uniform,  the  vast  conflagration  sup- 


posed  to  rage  at  the  sun.  Unquestion- 
ably this  has  been  a  tax  upon  ingenuity 
which  neither  we  nor  our  scientific  fath- 
ers have  been  able  to  bear.  If  the 
magnetic  process  be  admitted,  the  loss 
aii'l  waste  involved  in  the  combustive 
process, — enormous  beyond  computa- 
tion, may  possibly  be  relieved,  and  the 
great  law  of  conservation  of  force  thus 
jeopardized,  even  in  the  house  of  its 
friends,  may  stiil  be  maintained  in  its  in- 
tegrity. 

The  demonstrations  of  our  senses,  as 
well  as  the  teachings  of  all  the  ages 
based  upon  these  demonstrations,  lead 
us  to  attribute  to  the  sun  the  possession 
of  a  most  dazzling  briilancy,  and  an 
unlimited  amount  of  heat.  So  it  cer- 
tainly appears ;  and  every  hypothesis 
that  has  ever  had  a  hold  upon  the  scien- 
tific mind  has  been  based  upon  that  con- 
ception. Yet  the  simple  fact  that  the 
earth  receives  its  heat  through  the 
agency  of  the  sun  is  not  conclusive  evi- 
dence that  the  sun  is  itself  hot.  On  the 
contrary  it  is  well  known  that  heat  rap- 
idly diminishes  in  the  direction  of  the 
sun;  and  at  the  altitude  of  con- 
siderably less  than  two  miles  lies  the 
line  of  perpetual  frost,  the  temperature 
of  space  progressively  lowering  beyond 
that  point. 

Standing  as  diametrically  opposed  to 
the  old  methods  of  thought  is  the  tact 
that  the  sun  is  not  inherently  brilliant. 
Beyond  the  lower  portions  of  the  at- 
mospheric mass  there  is  no  dazzle. 
Only  a  short  distance  upwards  from  the 
earth  at  a  point  where  respiration,  by 
reason  of  the  rarity  of  the  atmosphere, 
becomes  impeded,  the  human  eye  may 
behold  that  great  orb  undazed. 


Thus  sun  light  and  sun  heat  are  shown 
to  resemble  the  light  and  heat  which  \ve 
are  able  to  develop  through  the  aid  of 
our  magnetic  machines.  The  fact  of 
the  actual  production  of  the  intensest 
heat  yet  reached,  through  the  agency  of 
mere  motion,  opens  up  to  us  a  new 
view  of  these  great  forces.  As  motion 
applied  to  our  dynamo-electric  machines 
is  changed  or  converted  into  light  and 
heat,  so  also  may  sun  light  and  sun 
heat  be  the  products  of  mere  change, 
of  simple  conversion  of  force  instead  of 
the  products  of  a  measureless  and  cease- 
less destruction.  The  element  out  of 
which  they  are  developed  passes,  as  we 
may  suppose,  through  all  space  without 
visible  form  or  manifestation,  as  electric- 
ity through  wires,  and  without  visible 
means  of  transportation;  as  for  example, 
Prof.  Loomis  sent  the  magnetic  current 
from  kite  to  kite,  flown  from  Virginia 
mountain-tops,  twenty  miles  apart. 
Moreover,  as  the  "carbon  point"  or  the 
"platinum  coil"  is  the  necessary  resist- 
ance, the  encountering  of  which  de- 
velopes  the  electric  light  out  of  our  lit- 
tle electric  current,  so  may  this  earth's 
atmosphere  furnish  the  required  resist- 
ance out  of  the  encounter  with  which 
the  great  current  of  force  from  sun  to 
earth,  invisible  while  passing  through 
vacant  space,  becomes  manifest  light 
and  heat.  The  analogy,  to  say  the  least, 
is  very  striking. 

Science  at  the  present  time  admits  of 
four  different  explanations  of  the  pro- 
duction of  sun-light  and  sun-heat,  viz : 

(1).  Combustion  of  cosmical  substan- 
ces falling  into  the  sun ;  (2)  arrest  of 
motion  of  such  cosmical  substances ;  (3) 


•contraction  of  the  solar  mass  ;  f4)  dis- 
sociation of  compound  bodies  in  the 
sun's  substance. 

It  will  be  observed  that  there  is  no 
recognition  here  of  the  two  f^rms  of 
light  and  heat;  the  sun  is  by  all  of  them 
made  the  manufacturing  place  of  light 
and  heat,  as  well  as  the  distributing  re- 
servoir, whence  the  whole  solar  system 
is  supplied ;  not  with  the  invisible,  in- 
sensible, potential,  light  and  heat,  to  be 
developed  where  required,  but  with  these 
actual  forces. 

The  first  hypothesis,  that  of  "com- 
bustion," is  virtually  given  up  by  scien- 
tists on  account  of  its  insuperable  diffi- 
culties. The  fuel  problem  is  too  in- 
tricate for  the  finite  mind. 

The  second,  the  so-called  mechanical 
hypothesis,  is  held  in  greatest  favor  by 
scientists  to-day  as  best  accounting  for 
the  phenomena ;  or  as  being  least  vul- 
nerable to  objections.  This  hypothesis 
pre-supposes  the  presence  in  space  of 
an  incalculable  supply  of  '  ponderable 
masses,  all  roving  loosely  and  by  chance, 
until  falling  under  the  influence  of  the 
sun  they  are  drawn  thereto  with  such 
momentum  that  the  concussion  gives 
rise  to  inconceivable  light  and  heat.  We 
may,  however,  be  allowed  to  question 
whether  the  doctrine  of  chance  can  ac- 
count for  our  exact  and  definite  supply 
of  light  and  heat  without  excess  or  de- 
ficiency. But  such  existence  of  ponder- 
able matter,  away  from  the  influence  of 
gravity,  moving  about  in  the  universe, 
and  assumed  to  follow  the  attraction  of 
the  nearest  stellar  system,  can  hardly  be 
credited  by  philosophic  minds. 

It  is  incredible  that  such  matter  has 
ever  by  any  agencies  escaped  from  the 


power  of  gravity  after  having  once  been 
under  its  influence.  It  may  reasonably 
be  supposed  that  any  body  or  substance 
which  would  be  capable  of  floating  loose 
in  space  must  have  its  origin  in  some 
sphere.  It  could  not  otherwise  have  an 
existence;  and  having  once  formed  the 
part  of  some  sphere,  no  power  could  de- 
tach it  from  its  surrounding  and  project 
it  into  space,  other  than  through  disrup- 
tion of  the  parent  body.  But  the  histo- 
ry of  science  has  furnished  no  evidence 
of  such  disruption. 

The  insignificant  manifestations,  such 
as  aerolites,  meteorites  and  meteors, 
which  bring  with  them  nothing  foreign, 
should  not  be  received  as  evidence  in 
the  establishment  of  a  philosophy.  The 
tame  uniformity  of  those  bodies,  and 
the  slight  inclination  of  their  pathways 
earthward,  preclude  their  being  classed 
with  external  forces,  ^irolites  of  im- 
mense size  are  not  unfrequently  observ- 
ed to  pass  in  a  direction  almost  horizon- 
tal to  the  earth  and  in  close  proximity 
to  it,  for  hundreds  of  miles.  This  fact 
is  very  damaging  to  the  philosophy 
which  the  phenomenon  is  claimed  to 
sustain. 

In  view  of  all  the  facts  which 
physical  science  presents,  we  are  forced 
to  the  conclusion  that  there  are  no  for- 
eign bodies  or  substances  existing  in 
space  ;  that  none  may  be  found  within 
the  range  of  our  atmosphere,  or  which 
may  come  within  its  range,  which  are 
not  of  purely  terrestrial  origin. 

The  supposition  that  old  useless 
worlds,  comets,  meteors,  etc.,  are  at- 
.  tracted  to  the  sun  to  be  utilized  for  the 
production  of  its  light  and  heat,  is  con- 
trary to  every  principle  of  reason  and 


sound  philosophy,    and  is  therefore  un- 
worthy of  consideration. 

The  inevitable  enlargement  of  the  sun's 
dimentions  which  would  occur  from  the 
accretions  resulting  from  this  method, 
would  also  prove  fatal  to  this  hypothe- 
sis. An  exact  knowledge  of  the  sun  for 
centuries  has  not  in  the  slighest  degree 
disclosed  a  change  of  radius  in  the 
earth's  orbit;  a  necessary  consequence 
of  any  change  in  the  sun's  bulk. 

The  third  hypothesis,  "the  contrac- 
tion of  the  solar  mass,"  implying  a  pro- 
gressive diminution  of  that  body,  finds 
the  same  objections  which  lie  against  its 
progressive  augmentation. 

The  fourth,  "the  dissociation  of  com- 
pound bodies  in  the  sun's  substance," 
depends  upon  the  process  of  combus- 
tion, (SECCHI.  "Le  Soleil"}  and  is  there- 
fore open  to  the  objections  already 
named. 

Each  of  the  foregoing  hypotheses 
stands  in  direct  opposition  to  the  inexor- 
able law  of  conservation  of  force.  Ac- 
cording to  the  decree  of  that  law,  what- 
ever is  received  by  the  earth  from  the 
sun,  an  equivalent  for  the  same  must 
again*  be  returned  from  the  earth  to 
the  sun  to  the  uttermost  fraction.  Each 
recognizes  the  presence  of  a  vast  flood 
of  light,  heat  and  magnetic  force,  (grav- 
ity) incessantly  issuing  from  the  great 
solar  mass,  and  proceeding  therefrom 
with  inconceivable  velocity  to  the  earth. 
Yet  neither  makes  provision  for  the  re- 
tro-acting, or  returning  force,  which  un- 
der that  law  becomes  indispensable. 

No  hypothesis  based  upon  any  other 
foundation  can  stand. 

Each  assumes  the  actual  and  indis- 
pensable presence  of  light  and  heat  at 


8 

the  surface  of  the  sun,  or  in  its  envel- 
ope, as  elements  in  the  solar  economy. 
But,  inasmuch  as  heat  does  not  come 
from  the  sun  as  actual  heat,  and  we 
may  suppose  also  that  light  does  not 
come  as  actual  light,  then  there  really 
exists  at  the  sun  no  necessity  for  the  en- 
ormous production  there,  such  as  these- 
hypotheses  demand. 

Again,  the  prodigious  destruction  of 
material  claimed  to  be  involved  in  the 
production  of  light  and  heat  at  the  sun, 
and  the  expenditure  of  an  inconceivable 
amount  of  force  in  projecting  the  same 
in  all  directions,  and  to  all  distances 
into  spare,  are  thus  shown  to  be  uncall- 
ed for  and  therefore  irrational. 

The  analogy  between  jour  little  mag- 
netic batteries  and  the  great  sun  batter\- 
has  a  yet  deeper  significance.  Our  mag- 
netic battery,  in  the  process  of  develop- 
ing light  and  heat,  developes  also  an- 
other force,  that  of  attraction.  Magnet- 
ic light,  heat  and  attraction,  are  thus 
known  to  be  products  of  one  process. 
Analogy  suggests  that  attraction,  or 
gravity,  in  like  manner  is  developed  by 
the  great  sun-battery,  and  is  likewise  an 
integral  constituent  with  sunlighfr  and 
sun  heat.  These  great  sun  forces,there- 
fore,  may  not  be  regarded  as  three  dis- 
tinct entities,  but  rather  as  different  ef- 
fects of  one  and  the  same  action. 

Thus  the  fact  that  the  sun  and 
earth  are  gigantic  fountains  of  magnetic 
influence,  continually  acting  and  re-act- 
ing upon  each  other,  as  is  claimed  by 
the  highest  authorities  in  physical  sci- 
ence, gives  to  the  phenomena  now  be- 
ing considered  their  clearest  and  fullest 
interpretations. 

Dunkirk,  N.  Y.,  August,  1879. 


COLD. 


Its  Relations  with  the  So-called  Phys- 
ical Forces. 


BY  HENRY  RAYMOND  ROGERS,  M.  D. 

That  cold  is  simply  "the  absence  of 
heat"  is  apparently  unquestioned  by  the 
scientific  world.  Physical  Science  con- 
sequently gives  it  no  position  as  a  pos- 
itive force.  Yet  the  manifestations  of 
the  power  of  cold  are  many,  and  plain ; 
taking  on  forms  of  exquisite  delicacy,  as 
well  as  of  stupendous  magnitude  and 
power.  It  has,  moreover,  as  distinctive 
operations,  and  as  clearly  defined  laws. 
Cold  should  therefore  take  rank  with 
light,  heat,  electricity,  magnetism,  grav- 
ity, etc.  The  recognition  of  this  force 
must  introduce  great  light  into  science 
in  many  of  its  branches. 

The  powers  of  cold  are  unquestioned. 
The  almost  fabulous  polar  ice-fields 
show  its  might,  and  the  delicate  fern- 
like  frost  pictures  upon  our  window- 
panes,  attest  the  presence  of  a  real  force. 

To  compare  it  with  heat  it  is  not  less 
active.  Heat  expands,  cold  contracts ; 


heat  drives  the  needle  of  the  galvano- 
meter in  one  direction,  cold  drives  it  in 
the  opposite.  Cold  equally  affects  the 
senses.  Cold  is  subject  to  the  same 
laws  of  reflection.  Surely  the  absence  of 
something  cannot  be  reflected  from  a 
polished  surface.  Applied  to  water  con- 
fined within  strong  vessels,  cold  causes 
the  walls  of  the  vessels'  to  burst  asunder 
by  the  expansive  force  of  crystalization. 
The  marvelous  power  thus  exercised 
may  not  be  attributed  simply  to  the  ab- 
sence of  heat, — a  mere  negative  condi- 
tion. The  particles  of  water  which 
compose  the  icy  crystals  are  arranged  in 
due  order,  and  perform  their  functions 
through  the  operation  of  a  power  not 
less  real  than  that  of  either  of  the  great 
forces. 

Cold  is  generated  by  the  solution  of 
certain  bodies,  as  heat  is,  by  the  solu- 
tion of  others. 

The  power  capable  of  disrupting  and 
disintegrating  the  earth's  solid  crust, 
and  of  bridging  a  mighty  river  in  a 
single  night, — the  power  which  topples 
down  massive  walls  of  masonry,  can 
hardly  be  regarded  as  a  slight  thing, 
or  a  figment  of  the  imagination. 

Heat  and  cold,  so  opposite  in  their 
effects,  are,  we  believe,  correlated  as 
truly  as  are  the  negative  and  positive 
conditions  in  electricity.  One  may  not 
presume  to  say  that  either  is  mightier, 
or  more  real,  than  the  other. 

The  physical  changes  that  give  rise 
to  this  phenomenon  are  not  appreciated  ; 
hence  cold  is  assigned  a  false  character. 
But  heat  is  necessarily  involved  with  it 
in  misunderstanding.  The  rectification 
of  the  latter  waits  upon  the  recognition 
of  the  nature  of  cold. 


The  sun  is  represented  as  an  incan- 
descent mass,  inconceivably  hot,  with  a 
temperature  rated  at  millions  of  degrees  ; 
yet  heat  diminishes  in  the  direction  of 
the  sun,  and  at  a  short  distance  from 
the  earth  the  temperature  becomes  in- 
conceivably cold.  Thus  no  particle  of 
heat  reaches  the  earth,  from  that  body,  as 
heat. 

In  like  manner  sun  light,  which  is 
subject  to  the  same  creative  cause,  and 
the  same  method  of  transmission  as 
sun-heat,  rapidly  diminishes  in  the 
direction  of  the  sun  ; — so  rapidly  that 
the  sun,  at  the  elevation  of  a  few  miles, 
looses  its  brilliancy,  and  may  be  viewed 
with  undazed  eye. 

The  sun  is  therefore  presumably  cool 
and  dark, — not  differing  from  the  earth 
-in  its  physical  conditions  and  in  its  ha- 
bitability. 

The  vastly  important  inference  there- 
fore.— an  inference  that  must  lie  at  the 
bottom  of  all  true  physical  philosophy, 
is,  that  there  is  some  great  primordial 
principle  acting  through  the  sun,  and 
which  is  so  fitted  to  operate  upon  our 
atmosphere  as  that  it  causes  all  neces- 
sary forms  of  activity  in  air  and  earth. 

These  varied  forms  of  activity, — 
though  we  call  them  "the  physical  for- 
ces" as  if  they  were  really  distinct  and 
independent,  and  not  but  correlated 
forms, — embrace  certain  peculiar  activ- 
ities which  we  term  cold,  as  truly  as  oth- 
ers which  we  call  light,  heat,  electricity, 
etc. 

It  is  the  constant  recognition  every- 
where, of  the  great  primordial  principle 
operating  differently  according  as  it  is 
differently  conditioned,  that  must  set  us 
into  the  right  understanding  of  all  phys- 


ical  changes  taking  place  upon  the 
earth. 

The  mere  absence  of  a  force  (i.  e. 
nothing)  accounts  for  nothing. 

In  the  new  interpretations  of  the 
great  forces  which  must  surely  come, 
and  at  an  early  day,  cold  will  be  awarded 
a  position  more  in  accordance  with  its 
deserts, — equal  place  among  the  recog- 
nized forces. 

When  the  immutable  law  of  conser- 
vation shall  be  applied  to  the  investiga- 
tion of  those  great  forces,  and  shall  be 
made  the  criterion  by  which  to  judge 
each  one  of  them,  its  character,  and 
mode  of  operation,  a  new  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  science,  and  in  the  develope- 
ment  of  human  knowledge  will  have 
been  attained. 

Dunkirk,  N.  Y.,  December,  1879. 


Sunlight.  3 1 

If,  therefore,  the  sun  be  truly  dark,  the 
brightness  of  its  satellites  cannot  be  caused 
by  light  projected  from  its  surface  or  sur- 
roundings. How,  then,  may  we  account  for 
the  light  of  the  moon  and  planets,  which  do 
not  possess  a  light  sui  generis?  A  new 
hypothesis  is  requisite.  To  frame  this  hypo- 
thesis is  not  difficult. 

The  New  Hypothesis. 

Analogy  teaches  us  that  the  earth  is  seen 
from  the  moon  and  planets,  even  as  they  arp 
seen  from  the  earth.  Yet  there  is  nothing 
upon  the  face  of  the  whole  earth  which  is 
capable  of  reflecting  the  slightest  amount  oi 
the  sun's  rays  to  those  spheres.  The  fields, 
forests,  rocks,  and  seas,  only  absorb  light, 
they  do  not  reflect  it.  In  this  phenomenon, 
therefore,  there  is  no  element  of  specular 
reflection.  It  consists  rather  of  the  lighting 
up  of  the  static  vito-magnetic  fluid  of  our 
atmosphere,  by  the  great  solar  current.  The 
atmosphere,  thus  vivified,  discloses  our  pres- 
ence to  those  orbs,  and  in  like  manner,  their 
presence  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 


32     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 


No  Borrowed  Light. 

The  light  of  the  planets  is  therefore  in  no 
sense  a  borrowed  light,  since  the  action 
which  generates  and  transmits  it,  is  purely 
co-operative.  Otherwise  there  could  be  no 
light  at  the  earth,  or  planets. 


The  Sun  Dependent  for  His  own  Supply. 

And,  indeed,  the  sun  possesses  within  him- 
self alone  no  element  of  supply  of  his  own 
needed  light  and  heat ;  and  in  his  immensity 
and  power  is  even  dependent  upon  the  cir- 
cling orbs,  for  the  quantity  of  each  which  is 
indispensable  to  a  condition  of  habitation. 

The  bodies  of  the  planets  are  in  like  man- 
ner invisible;  we  behold  but  the  illumined 
atmosphere  of  each  sphere.  Thus  the  moon 
and  planets,  to  be  visible,  must  possess 
atmospheres. 


Light  as  a  Substance. 

That  the  thunderbolt  is  a  substance  may 
not  be  questioned.  That  the  aurora  borealis, 
or  polaris,  another  form  of  vito-magnetic 


Sunlight.  33 

fluid,  is  a  substance  is  not  questioned.  The 
so-called  heat-lightning,  though  apparently 
intangible,  must  therefore  be  regarded  as  a 
substance.  Yet  further  in  the  remove  we 
find  the  zodiacal  light.  Sunlight  is  but  the 
same,  in  form  of  extreme  tenuity.  The  thun- 
derbolt passes  from  earth  to  cloud,  and  in- 
stantaneously changes  its  substantial  form  to 
one  as  tenuous  as  light ;  yet,  in  the  trans- 
formation, this  fluid  has  not  lost  its  identity. 
Though  unseen,  it  continues  to  exist  as  mat- 
ter. 

Velocity  of  Light. 

While  ever  present,  light  is  being  inces- 
santly replenished  ;  its  action  being  instanta- 
neous. The  calculations  of  ROEMER,  founded 
upon  observations  made  through  spaces  of  382 
and  568  millions  of  miles  of  distance,  should 
not  be  too  confidently  accepted,  especially  as 
the  results  of  such  conclusions  are  so  vitally 
important.  When  we  consider  that  with  our 
best  telescopes  directed  towards  the  moon, 
less  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  miles  dis- 
tant, nothing  really  satisfactory  may  be  dis- 
cerned, what  value,  therefore,  may  be  attached 
to  statements  founded  upon  such  thoroughly 
unreliable  data  ? 

2* 


34     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

BRADLEY'S  estimate  of  the  velocity  of  light, 
founded  upon  his  study  of  "  the  aberration 
of  light,"  is  even  less  worthy  of  consideration. 

Any  effort  to  measure  such  an  inconceiv- 
able velocity  as  that  claimed  for  light,  by  any 
means  or  appliances  which  may  be  devised  by 
human  ingenuity,  must  be  regarded  as  futile. 
DESCARTES  says :  "  Light  reaches  us  instan- 
taneously from  the  sun,  and  would  do  so, 
even  if  the  intervening  distance  were  greater 
than  that  between  the  earth  and  heaven." 


CHAPTER  V. 

SUN-HEAT. 

Its  Source  and  Limits. 

SUN-HEAT  is  another  product  of  the  same 
retro-action  between  the  sun  and  earth  ;  con- 
sequently it  has  the  same  range  and  the 
same  boundaries  as  when  it  is  viewed  as 
light. 

Tendencies  to  unsettle  in  Science. 

The  scientists  of  to-day  may  well  look  after 
the  soundness  of  their  favorite  theories  of 
the  great  physical  forces  ;  for  the  uncertain 
tenure  of  old  theories,  by  reason  of  recent 
discoveries,  is  becoming  but  too  manifest. 
New  phenomena  are  now  observed  which 
require  solutions  not  met  by  present  hypoth- 
eses. The  nebular  hypothesis  which  has  so 
long  possessed  the  scientific  mind  has,  by 
the  discovery  of  the  moons  of  Mars,  become 
a  thing  of  the  past.  According  to  M. 
MAICHE,  water  is  found  to  be  no  longer  the 
old-fashioned  conventional  oxygen  and  hy- 


36     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

drogen,  but  essentially  a  new  element  must 
be  considered  in  estimating  its  composition.6 
Light  is  ascertained  to  be  as  veritable  a  sub- 
stance as  water.  The  sun  is  recognized  to 
be  dark,  cool,  and  habitable.  Messages  go 
through  the  air  from  kite  to  kite  ten  miles 
apart  without  visible  agency.  Telephonic 
sounds  leap  from  wire  to  wire  through  quite 
ten  feet  of  space. 

Present  theories  of  Supply  of  Sun-heat. 

The  present  theories  of  the  production  and 
dissemination  of  sun-heat,  are  simply  accepted 
for  want  of  better,  and  not  because  they  ac- 
count satisfactorily  for  the  phenomena. 

The  first  and  most  prominent  is  the  com- 
bustion theory,  which,  though  bearing  the 
seal  of  ages,  is  obnoxious  both  to  common 
and  philosophic  reasoning.  This  theory  pre- 
supposes a  consumption  of  material  beyond 
all  conception,  and  the  supply  of  which  has 
been  no  small  tax  upon  the  scientific  imagi- 
nation. The  source  of  this  supply  has  been 
claimed  to  be  the  subsidence  of  useless 
worlds,  and  of  asteroids,  and  meteors,  show- 

6  Appendix,  p.  99. 


Sun- Heat,  37 

ered  down  upon  its  surface.  Estimates  have 
been  carefully  made,  and  we  are  gravely  in- 
formed of  the  probable  amount  of  combustive 
material  required  to  supply  the  sun's  demands 
for  given  periods.  It  is  said  that  the  coal- 
fields of  Pennsylvania,  which  would  supply 
the  world's  consumption  for  centuries,  would 
keep  the  sun's  rate  of  emission  for  consid- 
erably less  than  y,-^^  part  of  a  second. 
POUILLET  estimated  the  quantity  of  heat 
emitted  by  the  sun  per  hour  to  be  equal  to 
the  supply  of  a  layer  of  anthracite  coal  ten 
feet  thick,  spread  over  the  whole  surface  of 
the  sun. 

The  theory  advocated  by  HELMHOLTZ,  and 
by  many  other  scientists,  of  "  the  gradual 
contraction  of  the  solar  orb,"  and  that  of 
SECCHI,  "  the  dissociation  of  compound  bodies 
in  the  sun's  substance,"  are  attempts  after  a 
more  consistent  philosophy. 

The  foregoing  theories  pre-suppose  the 
sun  to  be  a  glowing  fiery  mass,  from  which, 
in  all  directions,  issue  radiations  of  heat  and 
light  into  space.  Of  this  enormous  quantity 
of  radiated  heat,  the  earth  is  supposed  to 

receive  but  ^<nnr,<hnr,<nnr  Part- 

MEYER  observes :  "  A  general  law  of 
nature  which  knows  no  exception  is  the  fol- 


3&    New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

lowing :  In  order   to  obtain  heat,  something 
must  be  expended" 

This  combustion  theory  therefore  calls  for 
an  enormous  expenditure  of  material  for 
generating  heat  and  light,  together  with  a 
still  further  expenditure  of  force  for  project- 
ing these  into  all  space,  at  all  distances. 
All  these  theories  are  therefore  inconsistent 
with  the  immutable  law  of  the  Conservation 
of  Force. 

The  true  Source  of  Supply. 

In  seeking  the  source  of  supply  of  heat  and 
light,  we  are  compelled  to  look  for  a  philoso- 
phy more  consistent  than  any  hitherto  ad- 
vanced. Controlled  too  much  by  the  literal 
evidence  of  the  senses  and  the  superficial 
appearance  of  things,  we  have  ever  regarded 
the  sun  as  ALL  ALONE  in  developing  and  ex- 
ercising these  great  forces. 

The  law  of  conservation  compels  us  to  look 
to  the  earth,  a  heretofore  neglected  factor  in 
this  problem.  This  factor  being  introduced 
we  shall  find  the  problem  to  be  wonderfully 
simplified. 

All  space  may  rationally  be  regarded  as 
complete  vacuum,  thus  presenting  no  resist- 
ance nor  obstacles  to  the  free  progress  of 


Sun-Heat.  39 

the  retro-acting  elements.  Distance  is  then 
virtually  annihilated,  and  Mercury,  37,000,000 
of  miles  from  the  sun,  and  Neptune,  2,800,- 
000,000  of  miles,  stand  alike  in  their  relations 
with  the  great  central  orb. 

The  Earth's  part  in  the  Process. 

The  earth  may  no  longer  be  regarded  as 
having  a  merely  passive  part  to  play.  The 
forces  in  operation  as  between  the  earth  and 
sun,  are  purely  co-operative,  and  the  one 
precisely  counterbalances  the  other.  The 
earth,  therefore,  must  have  a  vis  viva  within 
itself,  capable  of  reciprocating  in  the  organic 
functions  of  the  great  vito-magnetic  circuit. 
We  certainly  know  that  it  possesses  a  mar- 
vellous wealth  of  resources.  The  following 
are  the  most  important  of  its  sources  of  vis 
viva. 

i  st.  The  great  reservoir  of  vito-magnetic 
fluid,  the  vast  incandescent  earth-core.  The 
presence  and  activity  therein  of  mighty  force, 
— of  heat,  and  motion,  in  the  highest  degree, 
are  abundantly  shown  by  various  terrestrial 
phenomena.  These  phenomena,  while  per- 
fectly familiar  to  observers,  seem  never  to 
have  received  any  fitting  interpretation. 


4-O     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

2d.  Motions  and  frictions  of  every  kind  ;  * 
the  motions  of  the  waters  of  the  earth,  the 
great  oceans,  with  their  rolling  tides  sweep- 
ing the  whole  circumference  of  the  earth 
twice  in  twenty-four  hours,  at  a  speed  of  one 
thousand  miles  per  hour  ;  with  its  frictions 
upon  itself,  the  bottom,  and  the  shores ;  its 
great  storms  lashing  it  into  fury,  and  its  gen- 
tler motions  from  lesser  winds  ;  also  the  mo- 
tions of  all  seas,  rivers,  and  rain-falls. 

3d.  So  all  motions  of  the  air,  in  form  of 
hurricanes,  lesser  winds,  or  zephyrs  ;  tear- 
ing their  way  through  forests,  and  hills,  and 
through  space  ;  or  causing  gentlest  flutter  ol 
leaflet.  We  have  witnessed  their  goings 
forth,  but  have  neglected  to  calculate  their 
mission. 

4th.  All  chemical  actions. 

5th.  All  combustions. 

6th.  All  evaporations. 

The  earth  is  thus  elaborating  in  all  her 
gigantic  processes,  the  materials  and  forces, 
which  she  furnishes  in  the  great  interchange. 
How  strangely  have  these  great  sources  of 


*  In  the  motions  of  the  spheres  through  space,  unlike  all  other 
forms  of  motion,  there  is  no  element  of  resistance.  This  form  of 
motion  is  therefore  incapable  of  developing  vis  viva. 


Sun- Heat.  41 

vis  viva  remained  practically  unheeded  until 
the  present  time. 

The  Suns  part  in  the  Process. 

The  part  performed  by  the  sun  may  but 
feebly  be  conceived.7  Within  its  vast  pro- 
portions (being  1,000  times  as  large  as  all 
the  planets  combined)  may  be  found  every 
element  suited  to  all  requirements. 

We  seek  a  new  Philosophy. 

The  construction  of  a  true  philosophy  of 
the  physical  forces  must  depend  now  upon 
our  rightly  understanding  the  modus  operandi 
of  the  conveyance,  and  utilization,  of  these 
sun-elements,  and  the  workings  of  this  sun- 
power. 

The  presence  of  a  veritable  flood  of  light, 
heat,  and  magnetic  force,  as  in  motion  from 
the  sun  to  the  earth,  has  ever  been  recog- 
nized. The  line  of  greatest  intensity  of  this 
solar,  or  vito-magnetic  current,  is  found  along 
the  line  of  greatest  diameters  of  those  bodies. 
The  centre  of  this  current  reaches  the  earth 
at,  or  near  the  equator. 


7  Appendix,  p.  100. 


42     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

It  is  a  well-established  fact  that  from  the 
equator  to  the  poles  a  continuous  magnetic 
flood  is  ever  in  motion.8 

In  thus  tracing  the  course  of  the  magnetic 
current  from  the  sun  to  the  equator,  and 
thence  to  the  poles,  a  physical  necessity, 
made  imperative  by  the  inexorable  law  01 
conservation,  indicates  that  a  retro-current 
from  the  earth  back  to  the  sun,  must  now 
have  part  in  the  process.  Should  such  be 
the  case,  as  all  reason  and  philosophy  affirm, 
.we  have  a  completed  "  Grand  Magnetic 
Circuit!'  in' and  through  which  all  physica* 
phenomena  have  their  origin.  But  aside 
from  the  logical  necessity,  we  hold  that  there 
are  terrestrial  phenomena,  which,  rightly  in- 
terpreted, point  to  just  such  a  retro-acting 
inter-communication. 


Old  Phenomena,  and  new  Interpretations. 

The  phenomenon,  the  aurora  borealis,  or 
polaris,  has  never  been  satisfactorily  ex- 
plained. It  is  acknowledged  as  purely  mag- 
netic in  character,  and  to  be  due  to  the  pas- 
sage of  currents  upward  from  the  earth.  It 

8  Appendix,  p.  100. 


Sun-Heat.  43 

has  received  the  regard  due  to  a  mere  nega- 
tive though  brilliant  exhibition,  whereas  the 
character,  extent,  and  significance  of  its  mani- 
festations should  have  caused  it  to  be  greeted, 
and  studied,  as  the  index  of  the  operation  of 
very  positive  cosmical  functions. 

HUMBOLDT  regarded  this  process  as  "the 
restoration  of  a  disturbed  equilibrium  ;  "  and 
so  indeed  it  is,  but  it  is  an  equilibrium,  not 
simply  as  between  the  earth,  and  atmos- 
phere. Various  observers  have  estimated 
the  altitude  to  which  the  aurora  sometimes 
reaches,  at  from  80  to  265  miles.  The  fact 
that  the  bulk  of  the  atmosphere  reaches  but 
three  miles  above  the  earth's  surface,  forbids 
it  to  be  regarded  as  purely  a  terrestro-atmos- 
pheric  phenomenon. 

While  viewing  the  more  striking  and  bril- 
liant exhibitions  of  the  aurora,  the  more  un- 
demonstrative and  by  far  the  most  impor- 
tant and  vital  operations  have  been  disre- 
garded. The  former  may  not  be  observed, 
except  occasionally,  and  fitfully,  can  only  be 
present  when  favoring  meteorological  condi- 
tions admit  of  its  disclosure.  The  latter, 
more  unobtrusive  and  even  invisible  to  the 
naked  eye,  are  incessantly,  and  at  all  seasons, 


44     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

in  action,  by  day  as  well  as  by  night.9  May 
not  this  auroral  display  then  be  regarded  in 
a  measure  as  confirmatory  of  what  the  law 
of  conservation  had  already  suggested  to  us  ; 
the  existence  of  a  retro-current  ? 

Well  understood  Processes  in  Confirmation. 

The  suggestion  of  a  simple,  adequate,  and 
perfect  theory  is  given  us  by  an  ordinary 
electro-magnetic  battery.  Let  the  conducting 
wire  from  such  a  battery  extend  half  around 
the  circumference  of  this  globe.  It  is  appar- 
ently as  quiet  and  dormant  as  is  our  earth  ; 
yet  in. those  cold  plates,  solutions,  and  wire, 
there  lie  the  hidden  elements  of  heat,  light, 
and  power.  At  the  distant  extremity  of  the 
wire,  when  not  connected  with  the  earth,  we 
may  have  none  of  the  manifestations  of  heat, 
light,  or  attraction — even  though  the  plates 
are  put  into  the  solution.  But  let  us  now 
make  the  connection  between  the  extremity 
of  the  wire  and  the  earth,  then  the  circuit  is 
complete,  and  heat,  light,  and  attraction  are 
disclosed  in  highest  degree. 

Now  from  the  Great  Sun  Battery™  in 
which  we  locate  the  one  Great  Universal 


9  Appendix,  p.  101.  10  Appendix,  p.  102. 


Sun-Heat.  45 

Force:  New  tons  "Higher  and  Still  Un- 
known Force"  every  one  recognizes  a  cur- 
rent constantly  present,  setting  towards  the 
earth.  That  current  is  recognized  as  bring- 
ing us  our  light  and  heat.  But  without  a 
retro-current,  should  we  have  a  circuit  com- 
plete ?  Should  we  have  any  of  these  phe- 
nomena? 

Heat  without  Combustion. 

Neither  in  the  battery  nor  near  the  bat- 
tery do  the  phenomena  manifest  themselves. 
Though  the  developer  of  light,  heat,  and 
power,  the  battery  itself  is  neither  luminous, 
hot,  nor  magnetic.  "To  explain  the  effects  of 
the  sun,  therefore,  there  is  not  the  least  rea- 
son to  infer  that  it  is  itself  luminous,  or  even 
warm.  Potential  action  generated  in  a  dark, 
cold  body,  may  produce  great  heat  and  light, 
at  a  distance  from  the  seat  of  activity  ;  and 
what  is  thus  wrought  artificially  in  a  small 
way  may  surely  be  done  naturally  in  a  tre- 
mendous fashion  by  the  grand  forces  of  the 


sun." 


Inter-currents. 

It  is  now  well  known  that  a  number  of 
currents  may  pass  in  each  direction,  at  the 


46     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

same  time,  over  one  and  the  same  telegraph 
wire ;  and  in  like  manner,  great  solar  cur- 
rents may  pass  to  and  fro  without  interference. 

Solution  of  the  Problem. 
Sun-heat,  therefore,  like  sunlight  and  grav- 
ity, is  a  veritable  production,  yet  it  is  not 
due  to  the  process  of  combustion.  It  is  not 
dependent  for  its  creation  upon  the  destruc- 
tion of  fabulous  quantities  of  substantial  ma- 
terials. The  rather  does  it  originate  in,  and 
is  it  disseminated  through  the  vast  energies 
of  spheres  retro-acting  upon  spheres  through  • 
out  the  whole  universe  of  matter. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   SEASONS. 

Why  their  varying  Temperature  ? 

THE  usual  explanation  of  these  phenomena, 
i.  #.,  the  influence  of  direct  and  oblique  sun- 
rays,  has  ever  seemed  insufficient  and  unsatis- 
factory ;  especially  in  view  of  the.  fact  that 
the  heat  comes  not  from  the  sun  by  continu- 
ity after  the  manner  of  progression  as  from  a 
heated  body. 

A  philosophy  more  exact  and  consistent 
may  be  found  in  the  development  of  the 
theory  already  advanced,  and  which  is  illus- 
trated in  the  following  plates. 

The  maximum  of  heat  at  the  surf  ace  of  the 
earth  bears  a  very  constant  and  intimate  rela- 
tion to  the  line  of  greatest  diameters  of  the 
sun  and  earth. — PI.  II.  a. 

Through  this  line  the  heat-producing  func- 
tions of  these  great  spheres  are  in  operation 
in  the  highest  degree. 


48     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

This  line  of  magnetic,  or  heat  activity, 
consequently  varies  with  the  earth's  move- 
ments. On  the  20th  of  June  the  flood  of 


SEASONS.  —SUMMER. 


PI.  II. 

summer  heat  overspreads  the  northern  por- 
tions of  the  earth  ;  the  sun  thence  apparently 
turns  southward,  and  with  its  departure  the 
relations  of  the  line  of  heat  activity  change. 
The  city  of  New  York,  which  on  the  2oth  of 
June  is  found  nearest  the  centre  of  the  solar 
current  (Plate  II.  b),  is,  on  the  2ist  of  De- 
cember, located  at  its  greatest  distance  from 
the  line  of  magnetic  or  heat  intensity 


The  Seasons. 


49 


(Plate    III.    b),    where    the    heat-producing 
forces  are  in  operation  in  but  low  degree. 


SEASONS.— WINTER. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

GRAVITY. 

Its  Essential  Nature,  and  its  Source. 

GRAVITY  is  not  a  separable  entity,  not  a 
power  per  se.  It  is  but  a  production,  and  an 
operation,  of  the  same  retro-action  between 
sun-core,  and  earth-core.  This  retro-action 
gives  rise  to  a  stupendous  magnetic  circuit, 
as  described,  in  which  both  sun  and  earth  be- 
come the  embodiments  of  magnetic  force,  or, 
in  other  words,  great  magnets.11 

The  power  thus  developed  is  exercised  in 
preserving  the  relative  positions  of  the  two 
bodies,  and,  on  the  part  of  the  earth,  as  we 
know,  in  drawing  unto  itself  all  objects  within 
its  influence. 

The  same  current,  therefore,  which  lights 
up  our  earth,  and  which  gives  to  it  its  requis- 
ite supply  of  heat,  at  the  same  time  indues  it 
with  the  power  of  attraction. 

11  Appendix,  p.  102. 


Gravity,  5 1 

Thus  is  engendered  that  power  known  as 
gravity,  which  has  ever  been  acknowledged  a 
profound  mystery  beyond  the  comprehension 
of  man. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  ATMOSPHERE. 

A    Veritable  Ocean. 

THE  great  aerial  ocean  which  we  call  the 
atmosphere  (at  the  bottom  of  which  we  live, 
and  move,  and  have  our  being),  is  even 
more  vitally  important  than  has  ever  been 
dreamed  of  in  human  philosophy. 

Hoiv  Constituted. 

Its  tangible  constituents,  such  as  clouds, 
vapors,  gases,  are  well  understood ;  as  well 
as  the  modifying  influence  of  those  atmos- 
pheric elements  upon  what  we  call  sunlight, 
and  sun-heat.  But  the  intangible  and  vital 
principle,  or  basis  of  the  atmosphere,  has  in 
a  measure  escaped  recognition.  This  princi- 
ple is  vito-magnetic  in  its  character,  and  may 
be  designated  as  static™  from  its  habit  when 

Yi  Appendix,  p.  104. 


The  Atmosphere.  53 

in  equilibrium,  and  also  in  contradistinction 
from  that  vast  flood  of  active  fluid  which  fills 
the  solar  cone-space. 


Extent  and  Character  of  this  Influence. 

The  whole  globe  and  its  surrounding  at- 
mosphere are  vast  reservoirs  of  this  static 
fluid.  These,  interacting  freely  through 
continuity,  virtually  become  one  in  their  oper- 
ations. As  a  constituent  of  the  atmosphere 
this  fluid  is  nearly  uniform  in  its  proportions. 
Its  varying  conditions,  as  positive,  negative, 
and  neutral,  form  a  marked  peculiarity. 
Changes  from  .one  to  another  of  these 
conditions,  over  larger  or  smaller  areas, 
are  affected  with  marvellous  rapidity,  and 
with  varying  and  sometimes  with  striking 
results. 

In  the  extremes  of  atmospheric  tempera- 
ture, this  fluid  is  found  to  exist  in  the  ex- 
tremes of  its  positive  and  negative  condi- 
tions. The  contrast  is  by  some  supposed  to 
exist  in  the  seasons  of  winter  and  summer, 
in  proportions  as  13  to  i,  (heretofore  re- 
garded as  quantitive). 


54     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

Note  the  Functions  of  this  Ocean. 

This  fluid  is  indeed  the  vital  principle,  up- 
on which  all  life,  animate  and  inanimate,  de- 
pends. The  necessity  for  frequent  respira- 
tions is  occasioned  by  the  imperative  de- 
mands of  the  system  for  this  agent.  As  be- 
fore intimated,  the  mild  and  steady  light 
which  illumines  the  earth  in  its  day-season  is 
owing  to  the  action  of  the  active  fluid  of  the 
cone-space  upon  the  static  fluid  of  the  at- 
mosphere. The  untempered  force  of  the 
former  might  not  be  endured.  The  pale  and 
steady  light  of  the  moon  and  planets  is  due 
to  a  like  reaction  through  the  same  agencies. 

The  relations  which  the  present  known  con- 
stituents of  the  atmosphere  sustain  to  this  fluid 
may  not  at  the  present  time  be  estimated. 

Not  yet  fully  Comprehended. 

"Air,"  said  SIR  LYON  PLAYFAIR,  "is  the 
most  familiar  of  substances ;  the  first  with 
which  an  infant  becomes  acquainted  on  en- 
trance into  the  world,  and  in  death,  the  last 
to  be  given  up  ;  yet,  strange  to  say,  its  nature 
and  constitution  have  only  become  partially 
understood  within  the  past  century,  and  even 


The  Atmosphere.  55 

now  scientific  knowledge  can  only  be  re- 
garded as  on  the  threshold  of  the  subject." 

The  novelty  and  the  assurance  of  the  con- 
cluding lines  of  the  above  quotation  would, 
at  a  comparatively  recent  date,  have  excited 
in  the  reader  a  great  astonishment.  We  had 
supposed  that  the  constituents,  and  the  func- 
tions of  our  atmosphere  were  very  well  un- 
derstood, that  little,  if  anything,  could  be 
learned  by  further  investigation.  Yet  the 
revelations  which  are  now  being  made  show 
the  assertion  of  SIR  LYON  PLAYFAIR  to  be 
almost  prophetic. 

The  vito-magnetic,  the  most  important  in- 
gredient, has  scarcely  been  referred  to  in  any 
formula  of  its  constitution.  This  constituent 
as  previously  stated,  forms  the  bulk  of  the  at- 
mosphere, and  upon  it  depends  the  principal 
performance  of  its  varied  functions.  More 
vital  than  oxygen,  without  it  life  could  not 
be  sustained  for  an  hour. 

Have  we  been  Mistaken  ? 

The  experiments  of  M.  PASTEUR  have  de 
monstrated  that  oxygen   and   light  are  not 
essentials  of  life,  as  he  developed  life  in  the 
dark,  in  an  atmosphere  of  carbonic  acid. 


56     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

New  Light. 

More  recent  discoveries  verify  the  presence 
of  this  comparatively  unappreciated  constitu- 
ent. 

The  process  of  induction  has  ever  been  a 
great  mystery  in  electrical  science.  Magnetic 
currents  are  known  to  act  upon  bodies  in 
close  proximity  without  the  intervention  of  a 
spark,  and  to  indue  such  bodies  with  mag- 
netic force.  This  action,  called  induction, 
has  been  supposed  to  be  limited  to  short  dis- 
tances. This  we  believe  to  be  erroneous.  In 
order  that  the  inductive  process  take  place,  it 
is  only  necessary  to  suppose  some  impulse  to 
be  superinduced  upon  some  pervading  me- 
dium. This  medium  we  recognize  in  the 
static  vito-magnetic  constituent  of  the  atmos- 
phere. Magnetic  or  electrical  induction  is 
therefore  nature's  effort  towards  an  equili- 
brium. Newly-discovered  phenomena  show 
that  this  process  is  carried  on  even  at  consid- 
erable distances.  To  Prof.  LOOMIS  of  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  we  are  indebted  for  experi- 
ments which  illustrate  this  fact.  These  ex- 
periments show  that  magnetic  communica- 
tions may  be  made  through  ten  miles  of 
space  without  the  intervention  of  visible 


The  Atmosphere.  57 

means  of  conduction.  The  employment  of 
wires  is  rendered  unnecessary  by  reason  of 
the  presence  of  the  vito-magnetic  fluid  which 
operates  in  restoring  the  disturbed  equili- 
brium. Magnetic  currents  are  therefore  not 
essential  to  this  phenomenon. 

A  wonderful  exhibition  of  this  power  was 
recently  observed  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.  In  a 
telephonic  exhibition  in  this  city,  the  musi- 
cians were  located  in  Buffalo,  sixty-eight  miles 
distant.  While  PROF.  JOHNSON  was  engaged 
in  preparatory  practice  during  the  afternoon, 
the  notes  from  Buffalo  were  distinctly  heard 
at  the  same  time,  in  a  city  business  office,  at 
some  distance  from  the  hall  of  exhibition. 
Yet  the  wire  used  by  the  Professor,  and  that 
employed  in  the  private  telephone,  were  at 
no  point  less  than  ten  feet  apart.  The  same 
phenomenon  was  observed  during  the  prog- 
ress of  the  exhibition  in  another  locality, 
the  two  lines  still  being  no  nearer  than  ten 
feet  to  each  other. 

The  Character  and   Virtiie  of  this  Element 
may  not  be  Mistaken. 

It  is  this  vito-magnetic  element,  and  not 
some  other  ingredient,  that  renders  the  at- 
mosphere so  sympathetic,  and  responsive,  to 

3* 


58     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

the  governing  Force  resident  in  the  sun,  and 
in  the  earth-core.  The  atmosphere  thus  not 
only  furnishes  the  field  of  operation  for  the 
manifold  Force,  co-operating  between  the  sun 
and  earth,  but  is  itself  the  medium  and  instru- 
ment of  the  operations. 

The  vito-magnetic  power  under  its  Protean 
forms,  styled  "  Vital  Forces,"  and  "  The  Phy- 
sical Forces,"  works  in  the  atmosphere  and 
is  the  source  of  nearly  all  its  phenomena.  It 
causes  and  directs  movements  in  every  pro- 
vince of  nature.  Nothing  else  has  so  inti- 
mate relations  with  animal  and  vegetable  life 
and  growth.  It  may  be  considered  as  consti- 
tuting the  inherent  virtue  of  the  atmosphere. 

Among  the  varying  manifestations  in  which 
this  agent  is  disclosed  to  us,  within  and  be- 
yond the  atmosphere,  may  be  enumerated 
the  following,  viz. :  i,  Linear  lightning  ;  2, 
Ball  lightning ;  3,  The  flash  with  reverbera- 
tions ;  4,  Heat  lightning ;  5,  Aurora ;  6, 
Frictional  or  mechanical ;  7,  Magnetic ;  8, 
Vital ;  9,  St.  Elmo's  Fires ;  10,  The  exag- 
gerated wave  which  bears  destruction  in  its 
pathway;  n,  That  disclosed  by  rain,  hail, 
snow,  and  fog;  12,  Sunlight,  and  sun-heat; 
13,  Static,  or  atmospheric;  14,  Zodiacal 
light;  15,  Corona,  etc.,  etc. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

WINDS. 

Entertained  theories  Erroneous. 

THE  mere  mechanical  theory  which  regards 
the  atmosphere  as  a  loose  mixture  of  gase- 
ous materials,  and  the  winds  as  mere  mechani- 
cal disturbances  within  it,  misses  its  real  inti- 
mate nature  and  is  insufficient.  But  once 
conceive  the  atmosphere  as  arranged  like  a 
perfectly  adjusted  instrument  for  the  meeting- 
place  and  co-operation  of  sun-force,  and  earth- 
force,  where  are  elaborated  all  the  benefits 
designed  for  our  mundane  creation,  and  we 
begin  to  look  for  better  explanations. 

Their  true  Character. 

What  we  call  the  wind  is  mediately  the  air 
moving  but  causatively,  and  immediately,  and 
more  profoundly,  it  is  the  action  of  the  vito- 
magnetic  fluid.  //  is  therefore  a  purely  mag- 


60     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

netic  phenomenon.  In  the  interplay  of  that 
subtle,  all-pervasive  fluid,  is  found  the  key  to 
the  theory  of  the  winds.  Hurricanes,  cy- 
clones, tornadoes,  zephyrs,  etc.,  are  manifes- 
tations of  its  operations.  These  phenomena 
imply  the  existence  of  a  force  at  times  stu- 
pendous, and  at  times  so  gentle  as  simply  to 
move  a  leaflet. 

This  power  in  full  magnitude  may  spring 
instantaneously  into  action  ;  and  it  may,  too, 
as  instantaneously  cease.  It  may  suddenly 
drive  a  body  of  air  at  the  rate  of  one  hun- 
dred miles  per  hour,  and  as  suddenly  arrest  its 
progress.  The  air  having  no  inherent  pro- 
pulsive powers,  that  originate  and  control  its 
directions,  velocities,  and  varied  forms  of 
movement,  is  yet  subject  to  definite  laws. 
What  these  laws  are  has  never  been  di- 
vulged.— "  The  wind  bloweth  where  it  list- 
eth."  Yet  in  viewing  earth  and  atmosphere 
as  vast  reservoirs  of  vito-magnetic  fluid,  shift- 
ing back  and  forth  to  maintain  an,  equilibrium, 
we  believe  we  see  the  workings  of  the  very 
force  which  moves  and  sways  the  atmos- 
phere ;  which  causes  its  currents,  both  gen- 
eral and  special ;  and  which  gives  rise  to  all 
its  more  extraordinary  and  unaccountable 
phenomena. 


Winds.  6 1 

What  gives  rise  to  the  Currents. 

The  changes  in  the  magnetism  of  the  earth 
and  atmosphere  give  rise  to  these  currents. 
They  are  developed  in  various  forms.  The 
following  may  be  mentioned  as  the  most  im- 
portant. 

i  st.  The  general  and  widespread  pertur- 
bations, occurring  within  the  body  of  the 
earth,  and  implicating  immense  areas,  even 
whole  continents. 

2d.  The  interruptions  of  continuity  of  the 
solar  currents  as  in  the  phenomena  called 
sun-spots.  These  changes,  to  whatever  cause 
due,  are  capable  of  disturbing  the  terrestrial 
magnetic  equilibrium  over  varying  areas,  and 
of  working  instantaneously. 

3d.  The  effects  of  the  interruptions  of  the 
sun's  rays  through  the  medium  of  clouds. 

4th.  Purely  local  vito-magnetic,  or  electri- 
cal, actions  occupying  smaller  or  larger 


areas.13 


That  the  origination,  suspension,  and  con- 
tinuation of  these  movements,  in  all  their 
forms  are  due  to  purely  vito-magnetic  force, 
we  think  demonstrable.  Thus,  no  other  can 


13  Appendix,  p.  105. 


62     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

act  so  instantaneously,  none  with  such  varied 
exhibitions  of  power,  and  none  so  widespread 
in  their  development. 

In  the  movement  of  a  body  of  air,  the 
space  previously  occupied  by  that  body  must 
be  resupplied  by  another  of  equal  volume. 
This  resupply  may  not  necessarily  be  derived 
from  the  circumambient  atmosphere  as  here- 
tofore supposed.  In  some  instances  the 
resupply  is  derived  in  but  slight  degree  from 
that  source,  but  rather  from  that  great  reser- 
voir, the  earth  ;  as  in  the  instances  of  whirl- 
winds and  tornadoes. 


Philosophical    Considerations  draivn  from 
Observation. 

FLAMMARIAN  says  :  —  "  We  know  that  a 
whirlwind  is  a  column  of  air  which  turns  upon 
its  own  axis,  and  which  advances  compara- 
tively slowly,  for,  as  a  rule,  a  person  can  keep 
up  with  it  at  a  walking  pace.  This  whirling 
column  of  air  is  both  caused  and  set  in  motion 
by  electricity. " 

If  whirlwinds  are  caused  and  set  in  motion 
by  electricity,  why  may  not  all  other  forms  of 
wind  be  productions  of  the  same  force  ?  PEL- 
TIER has  established  both  by  numerous  facts 


Winds.  63 

and  by  a  series  of  ingenious  experiments, 
that  the  waterspouts  of  the  land  and  sea  are 
electrical  phenomena. 

This  had  been  suspected  by  BECCARIA  a 
hundred  years  before. 

The  hurricane  which  occurred  in  the  Bar- 
badoes  in  1831,  was  the  most  remarkable  on 
record.  In  the  actions  of  the  hurricane  and 
the  electrical  displays,  there  was  abundant 
evidence  of  cause  and  effect. 

The  lightning  for  hours  played  in  flashes 
and  forked  darts,  and  moved  frightfully  be- 
tween the  clouds  and  the  earth,  with  a  most 
surprising  action,  and  the  earth  was  felt  to 
tremble.  The  moment  this  singular  alterna- 
tion of  the  lightning  passing  to  and  fro  ceased, 
the  hurricane  burst  forth  with  a  violence 
which  exceeded  all  that  had  yet  been  ex- 
perienced. The  winds  blowing  with  appall- 
ing velocity,  changed  their  course  frequently 
and  almost  instantaneously,  occasionally  abat- 
ing but  only  to  return  in  gusts  from  S.  W.-W. 
and  N.  W.  with  accumulated  fury. 

These   alternations   of  wind   and    violent 
electrical  phenomena,  were  something  more 
than  coincident,  more  than  a  casual  connec- 
tion.     Here  we   observe   a   manifest   inter 
dependence. 


64     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

In  another  hurricane,  "the  wind  blew 
about  twelve  hours  with  the  utmost  fury  from 
the  N.  E.  and  then,  in  an  instant,  perfect  calm 
ensued  for  an  hour,  then,  quick  as  thought, 
the  hurricane  sprang  up  with  tremendous 
force  from  the  S.  W."  No  other  power 
known  can  suspend  and  put  in  motion,  in 
opposite  directions,  such  marvellous  velocities 
and  so  instantaneously. 

A  remarkable  phenomenon  was  exhibited 
by  a  hurricane  in  1837,  and  described  by 
CAPT.  SEYMOUR  of  Cork.  "For  nearly  an 
hour  we  could  not  see  each  other  nor  any- 
thing else,  but  merely  the  light,  and  most 
astonishing,  every  one  of  our  finger-nails 
turned  quite  black  and  remained  so  nearly 
five  weeks  afterwards.  This  fact  may  be 
classed  among  other  proofs  of  the  agency 
of  electricity  in  the  production  of  hurri- 


canes." 


The  following  facts  are  entirely  inconsistent 
with  usual  methods  of  explanation  of  the 
cause  of  winds:  "The  entire  atmosphere,  to 
the  altitude  of  many  thousand  feet,  is  con- 
stantly traversed  by  numerous  horizontal 
currents  of  air,  flowing  in  different  directions 
and  at  different  heights." 

"  The  course  of  a  balloonist  was  altered  no 


Winds.  65 

less  than  five  times  in  the  space  of  fourteen 
hours.  "  The  aeronaut  GREEN,  at  the  height 
of  14,000  feet,  encountered  a  current  that  bore 
him  along  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  per  hour, 
but  upon  descending  to  the  altitude  of  1 2,000 
feet  he  met  a  contrary  wind  blowing  with  a 
velocity  of  eighty  miles  an  hour/' 

The  vito-magnetic  fluid  is  capable  of  be- 
coming amassed,  condensed  and  rarefied.  In 
the  tornado  that  happened  at  Natchez,  in 
1840,  the  houses  exploded  whenever  the 
doors  and  windows  were  shut,  the  roofs 
shooting  up  into  the  air,  and  the  walls  even 
of  the  strongest  buildings  bursting  outward 
with  great  force. 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  1839,  a  whirlwind 
fell  upon  the  village  of  Chatenay,  near  Paris. 
In  the  room  of  a  house  over  which  it  passed, 
several  articles  of  needle-work  were  lying 
upon  a  table.  The  next  day  some  of  them 
were  found  in  a  field  at  a  distance  from  the 
house,  together  with  a  pillow-case  taken  from 
another  room.  They  must  have  been  carried 
up  the  chimney  by  the  rush  of  air  outwards, 
as  every  other  means  of  exit  was  closed. 

It  is  a  fact  well-known  to  miners  that  dur- 
ing and  before  violent  tempests,  strong  as- 
cending currents  are  observed. 


66     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

If  a  metallic  rod  terminating  in  a  point  be 
attached  to  the  conductor  of  an  electrical  ma- 
chine, electricity  escapes  in  large  quantities 
from  the  point.  A  continuous  current  is  thus 
kept  up  and  the  flame  of  a  taper,  if  placed  in 
front  of  the  current,  is  blown  in  a  horizontal 

MANUFACTURED   WIND. 


PI.  IV. 

direction.     Wind  is  thus  manufactured  on  a 
small  scale.     PL  IV. 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  a  Meteorological 
Society  in  England,  a  paper  was  read  by 
the  REV.  JOSEPH  CROMPTON,  M.A.,  F.M.S. 
"  The  author,  when  walking  close  to  the 
Cathedral  of  Norwich,  was  struck  with  the 
unusual  fluttering  of  the  flags  on  the  top  of 


Winds.  67 

the  spire,  which  was  300  feet  high.  They 
were  streaming  with  a  strained,  quivering 
motion  perpendicularly  upwards.  A  heavy 
cloud  was  passing  overhead  at  the  mo- 
ment and  as  it  passed,  the  flags  followed 
the  cloud  and  then  gradually  dropped  into 
comparative  quietness.  The  same  phenome- 
non was  noticed  several  times.  As  the  cloud 
approached,  the  upper  banner  began  to  feel 
its  influence  and  streamed  towards  it,  against 
the  direction  of  the  wind,  which  still  blew  as 
before,  steadily  on  all  below.  As  the  cloud 
came  nearer,  the  vehement  quivering  and 
streaming  motion  of  the  flags  increased  ;  they 
began  to  take  an  upward  perpendicular  di- 
rection into  the  cloud  and  seemed  almost 
tearing  themselves  from  the  staves  to  which 
they  were  fastened.  Again  as  the  cloud 
passed,  they  followed  it  as  they  had  previ- 
ously streamed  to  meet  its  approach,  and 
then  dropped  away  as  before,  one  or  two 
actually  folding  over  their  staves.  All  the 
other  flags  at  the  lower  elevation  did  not 
show  the  least  symptom  of  disturbance." 
In  this  phenomenon  we  observe  the  operation 
of  two  of  the  wind-producing  causes  just 
mentioned,  viz.  : — a  wind  arising  from  purely 
local  causes,  and  of  limited  extent,  occurring 


68     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

within  the  boundaries  of  a  wind  produced  by 
the  action  of  more  general,  and  widespread 
causes — A  wind  within  a  wind. 

The  above  instances  plainly  carry  a  sug- 
gestion of  magnetic  origin  and  power. 


Winds  may  notarise  from  Presumed  Causes. 

If  winds  are  due  to  such  a  simple  mechani- 
cal causation  as  the  production  by  the  sun, 
of  a  rarefied  atmosphere,  the  colder  air 
rushing  in  from  all  sides  into  the  empty 
spaces,  we  should  hardly  expect  to  find  any 
definite  currents  bounded  by  well-defined 
limits ;  much  less  should  we  look  for  trans- 
verse and  opposite  currents  going  like  mes- 
sengers at  varying  rates  of  speed,  some  slow, 
and  others  exceedingly  swift.  Nor  may 
stronger  gales  suddenly  cease,  as  though 
stopped  by  some  mighty  invisible  wall.  And 
in  no  wise  can  they,  from  mere  calorific  agen- 
cies, leap  out  of  perfect  calmness  into  hurri- 
cane velocity,  or  subside  into  silence  as  by 
magic.  On  no  such  principle  can  they  shift 
back  upon  their  own  track,  going  either  way 
with  terrific  velocity. 


Winds.  69 


A  Great  Cosmical  System. 

We  have  seen  the  marks  of  electrical  ac- 
tion in  the  cases  cited,  and  since  we  know 
something  of  the  subtlety  of  the  agent ;  that 
it  may  be  "amassed,  condensed  and  rare- 
fied," that  it  is  not  loose  and  wandering,  and 
the  mere  plaything  of  fortuitous  forces,  as 
the  atmosphere  is  supposed  to  be  ;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  has  close  and  most  sympathetic 
adjustment  with  the  earth-force ;  and  that  it 
is  the  invisible  hand  that  holds  and  manages 
the  grosser  atmospheric  matter;  since  we 
know  this,  we  are  now  brought  to  the  study 
of  a  great  cosmical  system. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SUN-SPOTS. 

Grave  Doubts. 

HERBERT  SPENCER  says :  "  At  present 
none  of  the  interpretations  of  the  sun-spots 
can  be  regarded  as  established." 

How  numerous  and  how  strange  have 
been  the  theories  promulgated  as  to  the 
character  of  the  manifestations  called  sun- 
spots.  The  dark  spots  in  the  sun  have  been 
supposed  to  be  "  solid  bodies  revolving  very 
near  its  surface,"  * "  Smoke  of  volcanoes  ;  " 
"  Scum  floating  upon  an  ocean  of  fluid  mat- 
ter ;  "  "  Clouds  ;  "  "  Opaque  masses  floating 
in  the  fluid  matter  of  the  sun,  dipping  down 
occasionally,"  "  Fiery  liquid  surrounding  the 
sun  which,  by  its  ebbing  and  flowing,  the 
highest  parts  of  it  were  occasionally  uncov- 
ered, and  appeared  under  the  shape  of  dark 
spots,  and  by  the  return  of  the  fiery  liquid, 
they  were  again  covered,  and  in  a  manner 
successively  assumed  different  phases ;  "  "  In- 


Sun-Spots.  71 

terruptions  of  continuity  in  the  bright  envel- 
opes immediately  surrounding  the  sun," 
''Cavities  "  etc. 

Overestimate  of  the  Degree  of  Spot- shadow. 

Public  sentiment  in  regard  to  the  degree 
of  darkness  which  is  disclosed  in  sun-spots 
is  exceedingly  erroneous.  It  is  believed  that 
the  spots  are  really  dark.  ZOLLNER,  however, 
states  that  "  The  black  umbra  of  a  spot  emits 
four  thousand  times  as  much  light  as  that  de- 
rived from  an  equal  area  of  the  moon." 
"  The  blackest  part  of  the  spot  is  intrinsically 
bright." 

What  They  are  not,  and  what  They  are. 

These  phenomena  may  not  arise  from  dis- 
ruptions taking  place  on  the  sun's  surface, 
neither  from  violent  agitations  near  that  sur- 
face. The  essential  and  intimate  character 
of  the  so-called  sun-spots  may  be  found  in 
the  interruptions  of  continuity  in  the  fluid 
occupying  the  solar  cone-space.  This  fluid 
which  we  call  sunlight  intercommunicates 
between  the  entire  opposing  surface  of  sun 
and  earth,  unless  interrupted  by  some  tempo- 
rary cause.  Any  cause  which  is  capable  of 


72     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

producing  results  of  such  character  and  mag- 
nitude can  only  act  by  more  or  less  com- 
pletely interrupting  the  development  or 
transmission  of  this  fluid. 

The  result  of  such  action  would  be  dis- 
closed to  us  by  a  decreased  brilliancy  in  the 
direction  of  the  sun.  The  so-called  sun- 
spot  would  be  in  character,  magnitude,  form, 
and  shade  proportionate  to  the  extent  and 
character  of  the  disturbing  force.  The  per- 
manence or  evanescence  of  the  spot  would 
indicate  the  sun  or  earth  as  being  the  locality 
of  such  derangement.  The  more  permanent 
form  being  developed  at  the  sun,  and  the 
more  ephemeral  at  the  earth. 

Any  forces  in  operation  at  the  earth  which 
might  interfere  with  the  intercommunication 
of  light,  would  lessen  the  brilliancy  of  the 
light,  at  the  earth -extremity  of  the  cone- 
space  ;  and  the  deficiency  thus  produced 
would  disclose  to  an  observer  at  the  earth 
all  the  appearances  of  a  spot  upon  the  surface 
of  the  sun.  The  so-called  spot,  thus  produced, 
might  therefore  not  be  regarded  as  a  verita- 
ble spot  upon  the  sun's  disc,  but  rather  as  an 
optical  illusion. 


Sun-Spots.  73 


They   are    Caused   by  Magnetic    Perturba- 
tions. 

What  may  be  the  forces  in  operation  on 
the  part  of  the  sun,  and  earth  alike,  which 
may  so  interfere  with  the  development  or 
transmission  of  light  through  the  solar  cone- 
space  ? 

The  condition  of  the  contents  contained 
within  the  enclosure  of  the  sun-crust  and 
earth-crust,  is  presumably  one  of  unrest ;  its 
actions  varying  from  repose  to  the  most  vio- 
lent agitation,  with  a  tendency  to  the  cyclonic 
in  its  motions.  Although  the  earth-core  may 
not  be  presumed  to  be  an  entire  moving 
mass,  yet  it  is  known  to  be  in  a  measure  in- 
candescent, and  molten.  Magnetic  storms 
occur  within  our  earth-crust  which  sway  the 
needle  without,  and  almost  instantaneously 
manifest  their  presence  over  areas  of  more 
than  half  the  globe.  The  same  phenomena 
are  undoubtedly  present  in  increased  devel- 
opment at  the  sun. 

We    may  therefore   with    reason    suppose 

that  perturbations,  however  produced,  occur 

within  those  spheres,  of  such  an  extent  and 

character   as  might  be  a  sufficient  cause  of 

4 


74     New  Theories  of  tlie  Great  Forces. 

the  interruption  of  development,  or  of  trans- 
mission of  that  fluid. 


Inconsistency  of  the  Present  Accepted  Phil- 
osophy. 

The  ephemeral  or  evanescent  character  of 
many  of  the  so-called  sun-spots,  removes 
them  from  the  domain  of  sun-phenomena, 
otherwise  than  in  appearance. 

Figures  that  are  Deceptive. 

Some  of  these  spots  even  of  large  dimen- 
sions come  into  the  field  of  view  almost  in- 
stantaneously ;  and  as  suddenly  disappear. 
Thus  KRONE  "observed  a  spot  of  no  incon- 
siderable dimensions  which  sprang  into  exist- 
ence in  less  than  a  minute  of  time/'  DR. 
WOLLASTON  says  : — "  I  once  saw  with  a  two- 
inch  reflector  a  spot  which  burst  in  pieces 
as  I  was  looking  at  it."  BIELA  also  notes 
that  "  spots  disappear  sometimes  in  a  single 
moment."  SIR  WILLIAM  HERSCHEL  "turned 
away  his  eyes  from  a  group  of  spots  he  was 
observing,  and  when  he  looked  again  the 
group  had  vanished." 

Of  those  who  attempt  to  make  an  estimate 
of  these  phenomena  by  mathematical  formu- 


Sun- Spots.  75 

lae,  we  would  ask,  What  velocities  must  these 
sudden  and  apparently  widespread  outbursts 
represent,  if  they  take  place  at  the  sun  ? 

Effects  of  these    WonderfiU  Phenomena. 

That  this  phenomenon  is  a  result  of  an  in- 
terruption of  the  solar  current  is  rational  to 
suppose.  It  is  indisputable  that  the  inter- 
ruptions which  produce  these  manifestations 
have  an  important  bearing  upon  terrestrial 
phenomena.  Winds,  storms,  vegetation, 
healthfulness,  are  manifestly  influenced,  and 
in  a  measure  controlled  by  these  perturba- 
tions. 

Mistaken   Conceptions. 

The  claim  of  many  scientists  that  spot 
periods  may  be  calculated,  and  classified, 
possesses  no  element  even  of  probability, 
much  less  of  fact,  to  sustain  the  supposition. 
The  evanescent  character  of  many  of  these 
spots  places  them  beyond  the  sphere  of  sta- 
tistical calculation. 

May  not  be   Tabulated. 

Not  even  concerted  and  systematic  inves- 
tigation can  insure  reliable  conclusions,  for 


76     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

persons  separated  by  even  inconsiderable 
distances  would  not  always  observe  precisely 
the  same  spot  manifestations.  Moreover,  the 
spots  appear  and  vanish  so  quickly  that  no 
correct  estimate  can  be  made  at  any  single 
locality.  As  well  attempt  to  map  and  chart 
the  aurora  borealis. 

Unbiassed  Estimate  of  their  Character  and 
Location. 

SCHEINER  was  one  of  the  first  who  ever 
observed  these  spots  through  a  telescope, 
and  was  therefore  uncontrolled  by  theories 
in  his  estimate  of  their  character  and  loca- 
tion. He  held  it  "  impossible  that  they 
could  be  on  the  sun  itself,"  and  imagined 
some  of  them  to  be  "as  far  from  the  sun,  as 
the  moon,  Venus,  or  Mercury." 


CHAPTER  XL 

SOUND. 

Essential  Character  and  Medium  of  Trans- 
mission. 

SOUNDS  are  products  of  vito-magnetic  con- 
ditions and  changes.  They  result  from  ac- 
tion or  force  expended  upon  the  vito-mag- 
netic  element  of  the  atmosphere.  If  such 
action  or  force  be  directly  expended  upon  the 
air,  or,  more  accurately,  upon  this  vito-mag- 
netic  constituent  of  the  air,  it  is  propagated 
in  accordance  with  the  laws  that  govern  the 
transmission  of  the  vito-magnetic  or  electri- 
cal fluid  through  the  air.  If  it  be  expended 
upon  a  lengthened  wire,  then,  as  sound,  it  is 
transmitted  according  to  the  laws  of  magnetic 
transmission  through  wire. 

The  recent  experiments  in  connection  with 
the  telephone  have  demonstrated  the  fact 
that  sound  may  be  communicated  through 
hundreds  of  miles  of  space  without  occupy- 
ing any  appreciable  length  of  time — in  this 
respect  being  precisely  like  the  ordinary  ac- 
tion of  the  magnetic  current.  It  is  most 


78     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

philosophical  therefore  to  conclude  that  it  is 
the  same  element  that  is  concerned  in  both 
instances.  If  we  were  to  distinguish  between 
the  actions  of  the  telephonic  wire  and  the 
telegraphic  wire  we  should  say  that  there  is 
no  difference  in  the  medium  of  communica- 
tion, which  is  in  either  case  the  vito-magnetic 
fluid  ;  but  that  in  the  former  the  normal  fluid 
is  affected  simply,  while  in  the  latter  an  arti- 
ficial and  extraordinary  amount  of  fluid  is 
induced  so  as  to  produce  strong  magnetic 
effects.  In  the  telephone  wire  we  have  an 
affection  of  the  fluid  ;  in  the  telegraphic  wire 
a  pulsation,  so  to  speak. 

In  the  production  of  sound,  vibrations 
(erroneously  called  waves),  have  an  impor- 
tant agency,  but  they  have  no  act  or  part  in 
its  conveyance. 

The  varying  intensities  of  sound,  and  the 
distance  to  which  it  reaches,  are  in  direct 
ratio  with  the  kind  of  force  applied  in  its 
production,  the  character  of  the  resistance 
offered  and  the  medium  of  communication 
employed. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

SOME     OF     THE    RESULTS  .   OF     THE     FOREGOING 
THEORIES. 

THE  theories  thus  asserted  may  be  re- 
garded as  exceedingly  radical  in  their  char- 
acter. Their  influence  may  not  be  fully  es- 
timated. Marvellous  in  extent  are  the  ramifi- 
cations which  proceed  from  these  sources, 
and  few  are  the  subjects  of  human  thought 
and  investigation  which  will  not  be,  to  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  affected  by  their  in- 
fluence. 

New  channels  of  thought  and  investiga- 
tion will  be  opened,  and  old  theories  which 
now  have  the  confidence  of  great  minds  and 
great  numbers,  will  quietly  sink  into  oblivion. 

The  blank  astonishment  and  incredulity 
with  which  these  theories  will  be  received, 
will  soon  be  followed  by  acceptance,  and  the 
world  will  wonder  why  these  things  have 
been  so  long  delayed. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  among  the  fore- 
most and  withal  the  most  mischievous  of  the 


8o     New  Theories  of  ike  Great  Forces. 

old  theories  which  will  fall,  will  be  that  fig- 
ment of  the  imagination — the  Nebular  Hy- 
pothesis^ How  strangely,  and  how  strongly, 
has  that  hypothesis  maintained  its  ground, 
even  after  nebulous  masses  have  been  resolved 
into  clusters  of  stars.  If  gravity  be  the  result 
of  retro-acting  forces,  there  could  be  no  ele- 
ment of  attraction  in  the  flimsy  gaseous 
particles  whereby  they  might  be  drawn  to- 
gether. If  gravity  be  the  result  of  retro- 
acting  forces,  then  must  those  forces  have 
their  existence  somewhere.  But  where  could 
there  be  found  in  flimsy  gases  any  such  spe- 
cial centres  of  force — any  nuclei — from  which 
attraction  might  proceed  in  its  work  of  form- 
ing the  spheres  ?  A  starting-point  is  lack- 
ing. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  the  sun  is  formed 
like  unto  the  earth,  and  is  cool,  non-luminous, 
and  habitable.  Incandescence  not  being  the 
condition  of  the  sun  or  its  surroundings ; 
exhausted  worlds,  worn  out  asteroids,  and 
stray  comets  and  meteors  are  not  required 
to  keep  up  external  fires. 

If,  therefore,  incandescence  be  not  a  condi- 
tion of  the  sun's  surroundings,  then  surely 

14  Appendix,  p.  *•£.  <j  ^ 


Results  of  the  New  Theories,          8 1 

there  may  be  no  glowing  metallic  vapors,  no 
hydrogen,  no  iron,  no  sodium,  no  magnesium, 
no  oxygen ;  those  constituents  of  the  sun  en- 
velope, so  graphically  described  by  the  spec- 
troscopists  of  the  present  day. 

The  origin  of  celestial  spectroscopy  was 
as  vague  and  unphilosophical  as  was  that  of 
the  nebular  hypothesis.  FRAUENHOFER  and 
KIRCHHOFF  imagined  certain  things,  and 
straightway  a  great  theory  sprang  into  exist- 


ence.15 


Verily  the  "  Scientific  use  of  the  Imagina- 
tion "  too  often  leads  men  into  the  grossest 
errors. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  we  may  hereafter 
ignore  all  undulatory  processes.  Time  may 
no  longer  be  estimated  in  noting  the  trans- 
mission of  light  and  heat,  since,  like  gravity, 
each  acts  instantaneously.  If  the  most  dis- 
tant fixed  star  which  is  visible  could  be  an- 
nihilated to-night,  its  light  would  be  seen  no 
more  forever. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  the  recent  mar- 
vels of  the  age,  the  telephone,  phonograph, 
and  their  fast-multiplying  brood  find  a  satis- 
factory and  philosophical  explanation. 


16  Appendix,  p.  106. 
4* 


82     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  the  boast  of  the 
Atheist,  that  God  is  wasteful  and  a  bungler, 
in  that  he  wastefully  scatters  his  sunlight, 
and  sun-heat,  in  all  directions  into  space,  is 
set  at  naught.  Nature  has  been  misinterpre- 
ted. No  sunlight  nor  sun-heat  is  disclosed, 
except  in  the  direction  of  other  spheres. 

These  theories  throw  new  light  upon  the 
character  and  extent  of  the  atmosphere  of 
the  moon  and  planets,  and  the  consequent 
availability  of  those  and  other  spheres  for  sus- 
taining life.  The  extent  of  the  atmosphere 
of  each  celestial  body  may  be  presumed  to 
be  proportionate  to  our  own.  Analogy  would 
therefore  teach  us  that  those  bodies,  also  our 
sun,  and  other  suns,  are  the  abodes  of  in- 
telligent beings. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  heat  may  no 
longer  be  regarded  as  actual  motion  among 
the  particles  of  heated  matter,  neither  may  we 
longer  imagine  the  existence  of  hypothetical 
upper  trade  winds. 

If  these  theories  be  true,  the  part  which  has 
ever  been  attributed  to  the  sun  as  originator 
and  dispenser  of  light  and  heat,  has  been 
overestimated.  Every  sphere  contains  within 
its  enclosure  the  source  from  which  its  own 
supply  is  derived  ; — a  veritable  storehouse, 


Results  of  the  New  Theories.          83 

which  at  one  and  the  same  time  yields  and 
governs  its  requisite  supply.  The  earth  re- 
ceives what  is  due  to  it,  in  the  interchange 
constantly  taking  place  •  and  not  an  amount 
which  the  sun  may  fitfully  dole  out. 

In  the  character  of  the  winds,  and  atmos- 
phere as  disclosed,  what  revelations  !  What 
floods  of  light  will  thus  be  thrown  upon  sub- 
jects now  mysterious ! 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE    DIRECT    INFLUENCE    OF     THESE  FORCES    AS 
CAUSATION  OF  DISEASE. 

IN  its  bearings  upon  the  systemic  conditions 
which  we  term  health  and  disease,  this  mys- 
terious vito-magnetic  fluid  is  of  the  highest 
import.  This  great  principle  which  fills  the 
earth  and  all  spheres,  and  governs  and  binds 
them  together — this  great  principle  which  is 
the  source  of  all  life,  animate  and  inanimate — 
this  principle  dominates  in  every  vital  system, 
from  man  down  through  and  beyond  the 
microscopic  forms  of  existence. 

The  normal  action  of  this  principle  in  every 
part  of  the  human  system  constitutes  health  • 
its  abnormal  action,  disease ;  its  interruption, 
death. 

The  human  system  is  thus  a  delicately  or- 
ganized and  exceedingly  sensitive  vito-mag- 
netic machine,  and  is  virtually  kept  in  action 


Etiological  Influences.  85 

through  the  operation  of  this  principle.  Any 
condition,  therefore,  which  may  directly  or 
indirectly  influence  or  disturb  this  principle, 
may  influence  or  disturb  the  actions  of  every 
human  organization. 

In  the  search  for  causes  of  disease  through- 
out the  ages,  this  field,  so  fruitful  in  material, 
has  been  left  almost  unexplored.  The  dis- 
closures of  the  early  future  will  wonderfully 
change  the  sentiments  entertained  in  regard 
to  the  cause  of  a  large  proportion  of  our  dis- 
eases. Meteorological  influence,  although 
now  comparatively  ignored  as  a  disease-pro- 
ducing power,  will  ere  long  be  recognized 
not  only  as  a  power,  but  as  the  power, 
far  overshadowing  all  other  influences  com- 
bined. 

The  character  and  extent  of  these  in- 
fluences are  scarcely  imagined.  In  estimat- 
ing them  the  attention  of  the  profession  is 
now  mainly  directed  to  thermometric  and 
hygrometric  changes  and  conditions.  These 
form  not  the  largest  proportion  of  the  per- 
turbing influences  constantly  in  operation 
around  us. 

With  the  verification  of  the  meteorological 
theory  of  causation,  more  positive  and  ra- 
tional ideas  will  prevail ; — obscurity  will,  in  a 


86     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

measure,  give  place  to  clearer  and  more  exact 
perceptions  of  the  character  and  relations  of 
diseases,  and  a  corresponding  efficiency  in 
treatment  may  be  expected. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE    ARTIFICIAL    PRODUCTION    OF  LIGHT,  HEAT, 
AND    POWER,    AND    THEIR    UTILIZATION. 

THE  practical  procurement  of  necessary 
light  and  heat  for  our  dwelling's,  as  well  as 
of  necessary  mechanical  power  for  the  world's 
work  in  mills  and  factories,  in  some  less  ex- 
pensive and  laborious  manner  than  through 
vast  consumption  of  wood,  coal,  and  oil,  is 
believed  to  be  now  so  close  upon  realization 
that  we  may  even  call  it  unfait  accompli. 

The  conversion  of  the  momentum  of  rivers, 
and  of  the  power  of  cataracts,  tides,  and  winds, 
into  vito-magnetic  or  electrical  fluid ;  the 
transportation  of  this  fluid  to  any  locality 
through  wire  or  cable  ;  and  its  final  transmu- 
tation into  light,  heat,  or  mechanical  force 
sufficient  for  all  work,  are  already  demon- 
strated as  practicable. 

There  is  no  reason  then  why  the  Missis- 
sippi should  not  be  made  to  roll,  and  Niagara 
to  fall  through  our  workshops,  or  even  to  im- 


88     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

pel  our  street-cars.  They  may  as  well  work 
as  to  be  idle  as  they  go. 

But  in  all  this,  startling  as  it  seems,  man  is 
only  imitating  Nature  in  her  every-day  oper- 
ations through  sun  and  earth.  Even  the  order 
is  similar.  The  sun*  is  the  river  giving  its 
constant  impulse  through  the  vito-magnetic 
cable  of  the  solar  cone.  The  earth  end  of 
the  cable  is  adjusted  by  means  of  the  atmos- 
phere, for  the  production  of  light  and  heat 
for  this  earthly  habitation. 

It  indues  the  globe  with  magnetic  influence 
which  we  have  called  gravity.  And  in  its 
workshop,  its  mechanical  and  vital  forces  are 
keeping  up  all  motions  in  animal  and  plant, 
earth,  ocean,  and  air. 

And  thus  light,  heat,  gravity,  mechanical 
power,  electricity,  magnetism,  vital  force  and 
universal  motion,  are  but  one  principle  vari- 
ously expressed.  This  principle  we  have 
designated  vito-magnetic  fluid.  But  have  we 
reached  a  climax  and  an  end  ?  No.  This 
vito-magnetic  river  or  current  flows  on.  Its 
flood  is  never  stayed.  But  yet  we  find  no 
accumulation.  Light  and  heat  have  neither 
been  piled  up  to  the  sky,  nor  have  they  be- 
come annihilated.  Their  essential  element 
has  only  changed  form,  and  proceeded  on  its 


Light,  Heat,  and  Power.  89 

busy  way,  turning"  earth  into  a  magnet,  vivi- 
fying and  operating  all  organisms,  travelling 
upon  all  currents,  gathering  up  and  utilizing 
all  the  fragments  and  waste  of  its  workshop, 
transmitting  and  conserving  its  energy  en 
route  to  the  poles.  And  finally,  the  same 
element  that  signalized  its  entrance  at  the 
earth? s  more  central  regions  AS  HEAT,  now 
signalizes  its  departitre  along  earth s  polar 
extremities  AS  COLD.* 

Nothing  is  lost.  Such  a  mighty  flowing 
current  cannot  be  stopped.  If  it  rolls  in  we 
may  be  assured  that  somewhere  it  will  roll  out. 
And  this  is  but  THE  GRAND  COSMICAL  CIR- 
CUIT, already  made  mention  of. 

*  We  would  not   define   cold    as  "absence    of  heat."     Cold  is 
rather  the  opposite  electrical  condition  to  heat. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


WHY  WAS    NOT  THIS  DISCOVERY   SOONER  MADE  ? 


IT  may  be  asked,  why  should  the  discovery 
of  this  great  source  of  all  the  forces,  vital  and 
physical,  have  been  delayed  to  the  present 
time  ?  Master  minds  have  been  engaged 
for  ages  in  efforts  to  solve  the  wonderful 
problem. 

HERSCHEL,  NEWTON,  HUMBOLDT,  FARADAY, 
MOSSOTTI,  and  many  others  have  held  the  key 
almost  within  their  control,  and  the  consum- 
mation has  only  failed  of  being"  realized  at  an 
earlier  day  by  reason  of  the  tenacity  with 
which  the  minds  of  men  are  held  by  precon- 
ceived and  pre-existing  opinions. 

SIR  WILLIAM  HERSCHEL  regarded  solar 
and  stellar  light  as  the  effects  of  an  electro- 
magnetic process. 

NEWTON  recognized  all  movements  of  the 
cosmical  bodies  to  be  the  result  of  one  and 
the  same  force  ;  u  of  some  higher  and  still 
unknown  power"  but  luminiferous  ether 


Why  not  Sooner  Disclosed  ?  9  [ 

shaded  his  mental  vision,  and  he  failed  to  dis- 
cern that  power.  In  his  investigations  of 
those  great  subjects  he  is  led  to  ask,  "Are 
not  the  sun,  and  fixed  stars,  great  earths, 
vehemently  hot  ?  " 

HUMBOLDT  said :  "  It  is  indeed  a  brilliant 
effort,  worthy  of  the  human  mind,  to  comprise 
in  one  organic  whole,  the  entire  science  of 
nature,  from  the  laws  of  gravity  to  the  forma- 
tive impulse  in  animated  bodies  ;  "  but  the 
preoccupation  of  his  vast  mind,  and  the  hold 
of  pre-existing  ideas,  offered  difficulties  to  the 
solution  of  the  problem.  But,  note  the  ap- 
proximation of  his  ideas  to  those  herein  ex- 
pressed, he  said :  "  The  sun,  as  the  main 
source  of  light  and  heat,  must  be  able  to  call 
forth  and  animate  magnetic  forces  on  our 
planet."  Unfortunately,  however,  he  con- 
tinues thus :  "  and  more  especially  in  the 
gaseous  strata  of  our  atmosphere." 

FARADAY,  perhaps  the  most  distinguished 
man,  in  the  whole  of  his  own  field,  which  the 
world  has  ever  produced,  recognizing  the 
power  of  this  great  obstacle  to  true  advance- 
ment (i.  e.,  preconceived  and  pre-existing 
ideas),  once  said  :  "  When  such  a  one  as  my- 
self gets  out  of  the  way,  then  new  conditions, 
new  men,  new  views,  new  opportunities,  may 


92     New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

allow  of  the  development  of  other  lines  of 
active  operation  than  those  heretofore  in 
service."  He  believed  in  the  existence  of 
one  great  universal  principle,  from  which 
gravity,  heat,  light,  electricity,  magnetism, 
even  life  itself  might  come.  He  spent  many 
of  his  latest  years  in  efforts  to  solve  this  great 
problem,  and  on  his  failure  he  asked :  "  Is  it 
all  a  dream  ?  "  He  never,  however,  wavered 
in  his  faith,  and  his  last  efforts  were  directed 
to  that  end. 

With  prophetic  vision,  almost  amounting 
to  prescience,  he,  in  speaking  of  magnetism, 
said :  "  When  we  remember  that  the  earth 
itself  is  a  magnet,  pervaded  in  every  part  by 
this  mighty  power,  universal  and  strong  as 
gravity  itself,  we  cannot  doubt  that  it  is  ex- 
erting an  appointed  and  essential  influence 
over  every  particle  of  matter,  and  in  every 
place  where  it  is  present. 

"  What  its  great  purpose  is, -seems  to  be 
looming  up  in  the  distance  before  us  : — the 
clouds  which  obscure  our  mental  sight  are 
daily  thinning,  and  I  cannot  doubt  that  a  glori- 
ous discovery  in  natural  knowledge  and  in 
the  wisdom  and  power  of  God  in  the  creation 
is  awaiting  our  age." 

Thus  did  those  great  philosophers  so  near- 


Why  not  Sooner  Disclosed?  93 

ly  attain  to  the  goal  of  their  highest  earthly 
aspirations,  and  only  failed  in  the  consum- 
mation by  reason  of  clinging  to  the  existing 
opinions  of  their  age. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


i.  (Page  22.)  "  BRUNO,  about  the  close  of 
the  last  century,  giiessed  the  fundamental  fact 
of  the  Nebular  Hypothesis,  and  Kant  rea- 
soned out  its  foundation  idea,  and  LAPLACE 
developed  it." — CORRELATION  AND  CONSERVA- 
TION OF  FORCES. 

We  have  learned  to  recognize  on  how  very 
doubtful  a  basis  many  of  the  received  axioms 
of  physical  science  are  founded.  This  hy- 
pothesis has  been  received  with  much  una- 
nimity and  has  firmly  held  its  sway.  Yet, 
"  BRUNO  guessed  the  fundamental  fact,"  and 
this  figment  of  the  imagination  has,  for  nearly 
a  century,  controlled  the  scientific  mind.  Its 
paralyzing  influences  have  affected  other  de- 
partments of  physical  science,  and  true  prog- 
ress has  been  obstructed.  The  attempt  to 
describe  minutely  how  the  spheres  were 
formed  millions  of  years  ago  is  but  presump- 
tion. 

5 


98     New  Theories  of  flic  (ircat  /v>;vr.v. 

This  hypothesis,  from  such  an  origin,  un- 
verified and  unverifiable,  is  too  weak  to  sup- 
port the  superstructure  which  has  been  erect- 
ed upon  it.  This  hypothesis  discarded,  it 
may  be  presumed  that  the  earth  was  never  in 
a  fluid  or  iv  holly  incandescent  state. 

"  It  may  be  shown  that  all  nebulae  are 
crowded  stellar  masses." — HUMBOLDT. 


Action  and  Retro-action. 

2.  (Page  25.)  "  Considering  the  continued 
activity  of  the  sun  through  countless  centu- 
ries, we  may  assume,  with  mathematical  cer- 
tainty, the  existence  of  some  compensating 
influence  to  make  good  its  enormous  loss."- 
COR.  AND  CON.  OF  FORCES. 

If  the  earth  receives  the  benefits  of  this 
activity,  surely  the  "  compensating  influence  " 
must,  in  a  like  degree,  go  forth  from  the 
earth  to  the  sun.  And,  furthermore,  if  this 
influence  (whatever  its  character)  may  pass 
in  the  one  direction  through  space  without 
known  or  visible  means  of  communication,  re- 
tro-action may  be  affected  through  the  same 
channel. 


Appendix.  99 

The  Earth  and  all  Spheres  framed  alike. 

3.  (Page  26.)     "  The  earth  belongs  to  a 
system  of  planets  analogous  to  itself,  having 
the  same  origin,  the  same  destiny,  situated 
around  the  same  centre  and  governed  by  the 
same  motive  power."-    FLAM  MARIAN. 

Mutual  Relations  of  Earth  and  Sun. 

4.  (Page  27.)   "A   mysterious  chain  links 
together  the  celestial  and  terrestrial  forces. 
According  to  the  ancient  signification  of  the 
Titanic  myth,  the  powers  of  organic  life,  that 
is  to  say,  the  great  order  of  nature,  depend 
upon    the  combined  action    of  heaven    and 
earth."-— HUMBOLDT. 

The  Sun  s  Body  Dark. 

5.  (Page  30.)      "HERSCHEL'S   fixed   idea 
was  that  the  darkness  of  a  spot  was  an  indi- 
cation of  a  cool  habitable  globe." 

A  New  Theory  of  the  Nature  of  Water. 

6.  (Page  36.)  M.  MAICHE,  in  Les  Mondes, 
propounds  the  theory,  reached  after  numerous 
experiments,  that  water  is  simply  hydrogen 
plus  electricity,  or  oxygen  minus  electricity, 


ioo  New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

or,  in  other  words,  that  normal  electrified 
hydrogen  constitutes  water,  and  that  normal 
diselectrified  oxygen  produces  the  same  ;  or 
that  hydrogen,  oxygen,  and  water  are  pre- 
cisely the  same,  differing  only  in  degree  of 
electrification. 

Sun-heat. 

7.  (Page    41.)     "The    sun,  as   the    main 
source  of  heat  and  light,  must  be  able  to  call 
forth    and   animate   magnetic  forces  on  our 
planet/' — HUMBOLDT. 

"  It  is  an  incontestable  fact  that  the  sun 
exercises  an  action  upon  the  magnetic  phe- 
nomena which  are  manifested  upon  our 
globe." — SECCHI. 

"  What  is  certain  is,  that  there  ought  to  be, 
between  the  sun  and  planets,  a  means  of  com- 
munication of  force,  and  the  transmission  of 
movement/' — Ibid. 

"  The  central  body  may,  as  a  powerful 
source  of  heat,  excite  magnetic  activity  on 
our  planet." — HUMBOLDT. 

8.  (Page  42.)   "  It  cannot  be  doubted  that 
electro-magnetic  currents  exist  in  the  interior 
of  the  globe." — AMPERE. 

"  The  internal  heat  of  our  planet  is  con- 


Appendix.  101 

nected  with   the  generation  of  electro-mag- 
netic currents." — HUMBOLDT. 

"A  large  proportion  of  winter  heat  of  the 
poles  comes  through  the  equatorial  current." 

-YOUMANS. 

Aurora 

9.  (Page  44.)  "  HOOD  heard  a  noise  as  of 
quickly  moved  musket-balls,  and  a  slight 
crackling  sound  during  an  aurora.  He  also 
noticed  the  same  noise  on  the  following  day." 

"  FATHER  PERRY  of  the  Stonyhurst  Ob- 
servatory remarked  that  the  green  spectro- 
scopic  line  characteristic  of  the  aurora,  could 
be  detected  even  where  the  unassisted  eye 
failed  to  notice  any  trace  of  light." 

"The  fleecy  clouds  seen  in  Iceland  by 
THIENEMANN,  and  which  he  considered  to  be 
the  northern  light,  have  been  seen  in  recent 
times  by  FRANKLIN  and  RICHARDSON,  near  the 
American  north  pole,  and  by  ADMIRAL  WRAN- 
GEL  on  the  Siberian  coast.  All  remarked 
that  the  aurora  flashed  forth  in  the  most  vivid 
beams  when  masses  of  cirrus  strata  were 
hovering  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  air,  and 
when  these  were  so  thin  that  their  presence 
could  only  be  recognized  by  the  formation  of 
a  halo  around  the  moon." 


IO2  New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

These  clouds  sometimes  range  themselves 
evin  by  day  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  beams 
of  the  aurora  and  then  disturb  the  course  of 
tb£  magnetic  needle  in  the  same  manner  as 
the  latter.  On  the  morning  after  every  dis- 
tinct nocturnal  aurora  the  same  superim- 
posed strata  of  clouds  have  still  been  ob- 
served, that  had  previously  been  luminous." 

PARRY  even  "  saw  the  great  arch  of  the 
northern  light  continue  throughout  the  day." 

"  ARAGO  was  of  the  opinion  that  each  ob- 
server saw  his  own  aurora  somewhat  as  each 
observer  of  a  rainbow  sees  the  luminous  arc 
differently  placed." 

The   Great  Sun  Battery. 

10.  (Page  44.)   If  with    a  percussion   cap 
and  a  tear  we  may  develop  sufficient  power 
to  deflect  a  magnetic  needle  3,000  miles  dis- 
tant, what  power  may  not  be  expected  of  the 
sun,  1,250,000  times  larger  than  the  earth  ; 
the  sun  exercising  a  force  of  the  same  char- 
acter? 

Gravity. 

11.  (Page  50.)   "PROF.  MOSSOTTI  has  re- 
cently shown,  by  a  very  able  analysis,  that 


Appendix.  103 

there  are  strong  grounds  for  believing  that 
not  only  the  molecular  forces  which  unite  "the 
particles  of  material  bodies  depend  ,£m  the 
electric  fluid,  but  that  even  gravitation  itsfcjf , 
which  binds  world  to  world,  and  sun  to  surv 
can  no  longer  be  regarded  as  an  ultimate 
principle,  but  the  residual  portion  of  a  far 
more  powerful  force,  generated  by  that  ener- 
getic agent  which  pervades  creation." — FARA- 
DAY. 

"  If  gravitation  is  made  to  mean  something 
allied  to  magnetism,  some  poorly  explained 
phenomena  become  easily  understood.  But 
what  are  the  circumstances  affording  proof  of 
the  identity  of  these  forces  ?  First,  gravita- 
tion acts  upon  all  kinds  of  matter;  FARADAY 
proved  the  same  of  magnetism.  Second, 
gravitation  is  attractive ;  so  is  magnetism. 
Third,  gravitation  is  proportionate  to  the 
mass ;  the  force  of  magnets  also  depends 
upon  the  mass.  Fourth,  gravitation  acts  in 
an  inverse  ratio  to  the  square  of  the  distance  ; 
so  does  magnetism.  Fifth,  gravitation  does 
not  manifest  polarity  ;  magnetism  is  known 
not  to  do  so.  Sixth,  gravitation  acts  inde- 
pendently of  bodies  affording  a  resistance  to 
light  and  heat;  so  does  magnetism." — CART- 
WELL. 


IO4  New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

FARADAY'S  biographer  says  : — "  He  is  op- 
pressed with  the  magnitude  and  importance 
of  his  subject,  yet  is  stimulated  by  the  fact  that 
the  discovery  which  he  aims  for  (the  relation- 
ship between  gravity  and  electricity)  would 
have  a  bearing  in  importance  far  beyond  all 
conception  in  elucidating  not  only  the  facts 
connected  with  these  subjects,  but  also  others 
of  a  high  importance.  There  being  scarcely 
a  limit  to  the  subjects  which  would  be  illumi- 
nated by  it." 

11  Gravity,  surely  this  force  must  be  capable 
of  an  experimental  relation  to  electricity  and 
magnetism  and  the  other  forces,  so  as  to  bind 
it  up  with  them  in  reciprocal  action  and 
equivalent  effect."-— FARADAY. 

KEPLER  regarded  gravity  and  heat  "  as 
being  probably  derived  from  one  single 
principle." 

"  There  is  every  reason  for  believing  that 
the  radiations  which  constitute  heat  and  light 
are  essentially  the  same." 

"  Gravity  acts  instantaneously." 

Static  Electricity. 

12.  (Page  52.)  Speaking  of  static  elec- 
tricity, FARADAY  remarks :  "  What  an  idea 


Appendix.  105 

of  the  ever-present  and  ever-ready  state  of 
this  power  is  given  to  us,  when  we  consider 
that  not  only  every  substance,  but  almost 
every  mode  of  dealing  with  substance  mani- 
fests its  presence.  It  is  not  accidental  at 
these  times,  but  active  and  essentially  so, 
and  we  may,  in  our  endeavors  to  comprehend 
it,  usefully  compare  and  contrast  it  with 
gravity  which  never  changes.  There  we  see 
that  power  which  in  undisturbed  and  solemn 
grandeur  holds  equally  the  world  and  the 
dust  of  which  worlds  are  formed  together, 
and  carries  them  on  in  their  course  through 

o 

illimitable  space  through  illimitable  ages  ; 
and  in  this  other  power,  even  in  this  our  first 
glimpse  we  see  probably  the  contrasted  force 
which  is  destined  to  give  all  that  vivacity  and 
mutual  activity  to  particles  that  shall  fit  them 
as  far  as  matter  alone  is  concerned,  for  their 
wonderful  office  in  the  phenomena  of  nature, 
and  enable  them  to  bring  forth  the  ever  vary- 
ing and  astonishing  changes  which  earth,  air, 
fire  and  water  present  to  us  ;  from  the  mo- 
tion of  the  dust  in  the  whirlwind  up  to  the 
highest  conditions  of  life." 

13.  (Page6i.)  An  illustration  of  this  form 
of  wind-production  may  be  found  in  the  fol- 
lowing facts  related  by  DR.  GISLER,  who  for 


io6  New  Theories  of  the  Great  Forces. 

a  long*  time  dwelt  in  the  north  of  Sweden : 
"  The  matter  of  the  aurora  borealis  some- 
times descends  so  low  that  it  touches  the 
ground.  At  the  summit  of  high  mountains 
it  produces  upon  the  face  of  the  traveller  an 
effect  analogous  to  that  of  wind." 

We  should  pronounce  this  effect  to  be  the 
production  of  a  true  wind  of  a  circumscribed 
or  local  character. 


Solar  Spectrum,  its  origin. 

14.  (Page  80.)  PROF.  KIRCHHOFF  was  led 
to  the  study  of  a  coincidence  between  the 
bright  yellow  line  given  in  an  incandescent 
sodium  vapor,  and  the  solar  line  "  D,"  which 
coincidence  had  already  been  noticed  by 
FRAUENHOFER.  Upon  applying  a  greater  dis- 
persive power  he  noticed  that  the  line  "  D  " 
was  a  double  one ;  but  so  also  was  the  sodi- 
um line  under  these  conditions.  '  Moreover, 
each  line  of  the  one  coincided  with  each  line 
of  the  other.  The  suspicion  became  strong 
that  it  was  the  sodium  in  the  sun  which 
caused  the  "  D  "  line.  He  then  extended  the 
comparisons  to  other  elements.  He  carefully 
measured  sixty  bright  lines  in  the  spectrum 
of  iron  ;  and  found  every  one  of  these  sixty 


Appen  dix.  \  o  / 

lines  to  correspond  with  a  dark  in   the  solar 
spectrum. 

The  overwhelming  probability  of  a  com- 
mon cause  for  both  was  forced  upon  him, 
and  by  calculation  he  ascertained  that  this 
probability  was  as  one  million  million  million 
to  one,  in  its  favor." — LOCKYER. 


ADDENDUM. 


The  great  Solar  Cone-space,  in  order  to  be 
clearly  marked  to  the  eye,  was  represented  in 
Plate  I,  page  30,  as  white.  This  to  some  read- 
ers may  be  misleading ;  as  this  space  when 
viewed  transversely  is  not  luminous, — it  is  not 
even  visible.  (PI.  V.) 


PI.  v. 

Outside  of  the  atmospheric  envelope  of  all 
spheres,  there  is  only  "the  black  of  infinite 
space."  * 

Retro-action  between  the  earth  and  visible 
and  invisible  spheres,  gives  to  the  earth  the 
light  which  it  possesses  during  the  night-season. 

*  Flammarian. 


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202  Main  Library  642-3403 


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RED.  cm.  M/V 1 3 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 

.  FORM  NO.  DD6A,  20m,  1  1  778        BERKELEY,  CA  94720 


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